Czech side Dynamo Pardubice recorded their second win of the season and first win in front of their home fans since returning to the Champions Hockey League after six long years out last night, beating visitors the Stavanger Oilers 5-1.
The home team scored in all three periods and controlled the game from start to finish to add three important points to their Regular Season tally. Five different scorers were on the scoresheet for Pardubice, with forward Tomáš Hyka being the first to see his name light up on the board.
"I felt really good today," started Hyka, "it doesn't matter who scores the goals or wins man of the match, the most important thing is that we win and play the way we want to play."
"Winning is the most important thing"Tomáš Hyka, Dynamo Pardubice
Despite scoring and picking up an assist, Hyka had more chances to score. Does he regret not capitalising on them?
"A bit," he admitted, "the breakaway I got into was really good but as I said - winning is the most important thing."
Hyka's goal, the first of the game, was a powerful shot from within the circles on the powerplay and got the action going. Did it set the tone of the game?
"We feel really good as a team"Tomáš Hyka, Dynamo Pardubice
"Yeah! Scoring on the powerplay really helps lift the team and when you score three goals while a man up it means you are doing something right," he said, "we only really let them into the game in the final period."
Pardubice are 2/3 so far this season which means they are in a comfortable position in the Regular Season Standings with six points. How do the team feel?
"We feel really good as a team," commented Hyka, "I hope there's more to come!"
"We've got another game on Saturday so we need to prepare for that," he ended when asked about what to expect from Pardubice's upcoming games.
Pardubice's next game in the CHL is against ERC Ingolstadt on Saturday 9 September at 16:30 CEST.