Třinec enters tonight’s quarterfinal matchup against Hradec Králové with momentum, having successfully navigated the play-in round of the Tipsport Extraliga 2025/2026. The team, now under the leadership of Boris Žabka, defeated Olomouc in a clean sweep, 3-0, but each victory came down to a single goal, with two games requiring overtime. The recent change in leadership, following Zdeněk Moták’s resignation after a loss to Pardubice, hasn’t appeared to disrupt the team’s focus as they prepare for this crucial stage of the playoffs.
The game, scheduled for 6:30 PM CET on March 20, 2026, will be broadcast live on Sport.cz. Třinec’s ability to consistently win close games has become a hallmark of their success, particularly in the postseason. Throughout the regular season, the team demonstrated a knack for securing narrow victories, a trait they’ve carried into the playoffs. This resilience will be tested against Hradec Králové, a team known for its competitive spirit and playoff experience.
A Tight Play-In Series and Žabka’s Early Impact
The series against Olomouc highlighted Třinec’s ability to maintain a scoring edge, despite the close margins. They consistently outshot their opponents, but converting those opportunities into decisive leads proved challenging. This pattern suggests a team capable of generating offense but potentially needing to refine their finishing touch as the playoffs progress. Žabka, who transitioned from assistant coach to head coach, has emphasized minimizing disruption and maintaining team cohesion. “We took it in the locker room as the smallest intervention in the team,” Žabka said, according to the source. “We have to gain back up. We will continue with Jiri and do our best to make it happen as soon as possible.”
Statistical Strengths and Key Players
Třinec finished the regular season with the second-best shooting percentage in the league, a factor that has historically contributed to their playoff success. They similarly ranked fifth in power play efficiency (20.59%) and penalty kill success (84.18%). Goaltender Marek Mazanec has been a standout performer in the playoffs, maintaining a goals-against average of under one per game and a save percentage nearing 95% throughout the play-in round. Defenseman Marian Adámek has also been instrumental, leading the team with four assists and contributing to two-thirds of Třinec’s playoff goals.
However, the availability of Adámek and forward Marek Daňa for tonight’s game remains uncertain. Younger brother Michal Kovařčík is a key player on faceoffs, winning 70 faceoffs with a 68.5% success rate. Offensively, 35-year-old Libor Hudáček led the team in scoring during the regular season with 17 goals and 27 assists, finishing seventh in league-wide point totals. Oscar Flynn (13 goals, 22 assists) closely followed. David Musil, a three-time Masaryk Cup winner, has been a defensive stalwart, blocking 103 shots – the third-most in the league – and Martin Marinčin consistently logs significant ice time, averaging over 19 minutes per game.
Looking Ahead: The Quarterfinal Challenge
Třinec’s success in the play-in round, whereas positive, came with a caveat: the team struggled to add more goals to their series against Olomouc. As Ondřej Kovařčík noted, “It’s a relief, a exceptionally difficult series. We knew that Olomouc would fight, hang on us. It’s a pity that we didn’t add more goals to the series.” The team will need to find ways to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and build a more comfortable cushion in games against Hradec Králové. The quarterfinal series represents a significant step up in competition, and Třinec will need to maintain their composure and execute their game plan effectively to advance.
The next confirmed step for Třinec is the continuation of the quarterfinal series against Hradec Králové, with the schedule for subsequent games to be announced. Fans can find official updates and game information on the HC Oceláři Třinec official website.
What are your predictions for the Třinec vs. Hradec Králové series? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this article with fellow hockey fans!
