Czech side Dynamo Pardubice completed a nail-biting comeback in their game against Skellefteå AIK last night. Heading into the final seven minutes of the game, the visitors were 3-2 down but a 3-3 equaliser from Adam Musil got them back into the action as it looked like this duel was heading to extra time.
However, some late pushes from Pardubice got them into chances in the final minutes of the game and one of these ended in Lukáš Sedlák netting the backhand game-winner.
"This was a huge win for our team," started Sedlák, "we didn't play our best game but we were able to grind it out."
"We spent most of the third period a man down but we really put in the effort on the PK and our goalie really stepped up."
Despite the three points, Pardubice were without a doubt the second-best team of this game, recording a mere 15% Expected Win. How did they pull this off?
One name. Roman Will.
The goaltender saved 32 shots on goal and recorded a 91% Save Percentage, but his main contribution was elsewhere thinks Sedlák.
"Roman really did his job so well."Lukáš Sedlák, Dynamo Pardubice
"He really saved us tonight," he said "Roman really did his job well with so many important saves at a time when we really needed them."
Will and the Pardubice PK were successful in fending off seven Skellefteå powerplays as the Czechs picked up double the number of penalty minutes their hosts did.
Back to Sedlák - the game-winner was called for review by Skellefteå AIK's bench for offside on the entry. What was it like waiting for that decision so late into the game?
"Yeah we were worried," admitted the ex-NHLer, "but Tomáš Hyka told me he got his foot on the line so we should be alright but it was stressful for sure!"
Dynamo Pardubice will return to CHL action this Thursday 7 September with a home game against the Stavanger Oilers.