Znojmo Eagles bounced back after a disappointing outing on Monday to beat their Czech rivals from Jihlava 4:3 after shootout and end their preparation phase with a success.

Lack of goal scoring efficiency and defense vulnerable to quick breaks were the main problems for Znojmo and Eagles were determined to address these issues at Jihlava, this time with Ondrej Kacetl in goal and one of key defenders Lubomir Stach coming back on the ice after injury. Jihlava, one of top teams of Czech 1. liga (second highest division) earned two quick powerplays but Znojmo held firm and played an even game.

Jihlava’s Ales Padelek opened the scoring early in the second period after an individual effort with a low effort past Ondrej Kacetl, but Peter Pucher responded six minutes later with an accurate wristshot below the crossbar. With scoring chances on both sides, it did not take long for another goal to arrive. Ales Padelek was the scorer again, this time finishing a powerplay combination with a simple tap-in. However, Eagles responded just before the second break as David Hajek, a 31-year-old Czech defender currently on try-out, blasted in a powerplay shot from blue line.

Znojmo started as the brighter team after the break and Jan Seda converted a pin point pass by Kanko into the third goal and a lead for the visitors. That lasted only 28 seconds, though. Michal Jeslinek scored with a rebound into an open net to finish a quick attack. Neither of the teams could find the winner late in the game, so it took shootout to decide the outcome. Vladimir Riha proved to be the only successful scorer in the third series and Znojmo returns home with a win.

Much new in Linz
An increased budget (3.3 Mio Euro), a three-year plan and lot of optimism presented EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz Tuesday at their opening press conference in Linz. With a new coach, 13 new players and an offensive team the Black Wings want to reach the play off and than everything!

With Rob Daum a new Head Coach leads the Black Wings in the new season. Also the team is very different, 13 players arrived. "With Rob Daum together we have put a team together that will hopefully make us much joy", said Linz president Peter Freunschlag. The Cooperation with the trainer is done for three years, to build up something great. "We want to be an offensive team. Of course there will be even games, where we need to act defensively", reported Coach Rob Daum.

The squad has been expanded by seven players to counteract injuries. Also, the budget (3.3 million Euro) is higher than in the last years. “The club is developing very well, we have every year increases in the number of spectators and also in budget”, knows Peter Freunschlag.

No contract for Raux
Center Damien Raux (FRA) left KHL Medvescak Zagreb after a two week Try-out. He did not get a contract for the new season.

Friendly game
06.09.2011: HC Dukla Jihlava – HC Orli Znojmo 3:4 n. P. (0:0, 2:2, 1:1, 0:1)
Goals Jihlava: Padelek (23., 31./pp), Jeslínek (42.)
Goals Znojmo: Pucher (29.), Hájek (39./pp), Seda (42.), Riha (60./SO)

Lineup HC Orli Znojmo: Kacetl (Landsman) - Latner, Plánek, Stehlík, Boruta, Vosátko, Hájek, Stach – Havlik, Beroun, Pucher, Kanko, Lattner, Seda, Jarusek, Bartos, Komínek, Ríha, Haman, Podesva.