As the Czech
Extraliga playoffs march on,
HC Olomouc and
HC Dukla Jihlava find themselves on a collision course this April 16. Both teams are looking to make a statement in this crucial postseason matchup. With
HC Olomouc aiming to reverse their recent fortunes and
HC Dukla Jihlava hoping to maintain their momentum, this game promises to be a pivotal point in the series.
Roster Rundown
HC Olomouc's roster is anchored by Jakub Orsava, a forward who's known for his precise passing and ability to create scoring opportunities. He’s racked up 45 assists this season. Another key player is defenseman David Nemec, whose physical play and knack for blocking shots make him a defensive cornerstone. Petr Kratochvil, with 25 goals to his name, is the team's leading sniper, frequently finding the back of the net with his wicked slapper. Goalie Jan Lukes, despite recent struggles, has a save percentage of .910. Notably absent from the lineup are Tomas Valenta and Marek Kalus, both sidelined due to injuries.
HC Dukla Jihlava counters with their own set of stars. Tomas Havranek leads the team with 30 goals, often crashing the net with an aggressive style. Defenseman Martin Kadlec is known for his solid two-way play, contributing 20 assists while maintaining a steady presence on the back end. In goal, Stanislav Kucera boasts an impressive .925 save percentage. Forward Ondrej Beranek adds depth, contributing key plays with 35 assists. Missing from their roster are Roman Raska and Filip Seman, both dealing with long-term injuries.
Head-to-Head
Over the years, these teams have faced off 27 times, with
HC Olomouc holding the edge with 15 wins to Dukla Jihlava's 12. Their encounters have been tight, with neither side managing a draw. Given the history, this meeting is set to be another hard-fought battle.
Recent Form
HC Olomouc has been struggling lately, with their last five outings all ending in defeat. They’ve fallen to HC Plzen (2:5), HC Karlovy Vary (1:4), HC Rytiri Kladno (2:4), Bili Tygri Liberec (1:6), and Mountfield (2:3). It's been a rough patch, no doubt about it.
On the flip side,
HC Dukla Jihlava has been riding a wave of success against PSG Zlin, securing victories in three of their last five games: 4:1, 2:1, and 1:0, with two narrow losses of 2:1 and 4:3. Their form is promising as they head into this clash.
Wrap-Up
HC Olomouc’s recent string of losses puts them in a challenging position, they’ve been unable to capitalize on their chances, and defensive lapses have cost them dearly. Meanwhile,
HC Dukla Jihlava's recent success against PSG Zlin has given them confidence and momentum. Their ability to close out tight games could be a crucial factor in this matchup. The absence of key players on both sides adds another layer of complexity to the game.
Summary
In the grand scheme,
HC Dukla Jihlava's recent form might just give them the upper hand. They've shown resilience and grit, managing to grind out wins even when the puck hasn't bounced their way.
HC Olomouc, on the other hand, needs to dig deep and find a way to snap their losing streak. With both teams having something to prove, it's shaping up to be a defining moment in their season. If
HC Olomouc can leverage their home advantage and get their key players firing, they might just turn the tide. But as it stands, Dukla's momentum could carry them through.
Match Odds HC Olomouc – HC Dukla Jihlava
Leon's odds are - on HC Olomouc triumphing at home.
At this moment our odds are equal to - on HC Dukla Jihlava visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are -.
