Read below for information of the Round of 16 series between Vitkovice Ridera Ostrava and Bili Tygri Liberec. Vitkovice won on aggregate 3-2 in overtime to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Preview

For the first time ever in the CHL, two Czech teams will face off against each other. Bili Tygri Liberec, the reigning Extraliga champions, are in the Round of 16 for the second straight year, while Vitkovice are there for the first time. Looking back in history, however, Vitkovice were runners-up back in the 1981-82 European Cup. Domestically, Vitkovice and Liberec have not had a significant rivalry over the years – they've met twice in the post-season, with Vitkovice sweeping three-game play-in seres in both 2009 and 2014. They've met once so far in the Extraliga this season, with Liberec winning 3-1 on home ice on 7 October. Neither team is off to a blazing start in the league so far, with Liberec sitting 8th and Vitkovice 11th in the 14-team circuit, but it's still early. As is usually the case with two teams from the same league, don't expect either team to surprise the other, but do expect the tactical, puck-possession style of hockey that is typical in the Czech Republic.

Closer look: Vitkovice Ridera Ostrava

(3-0-1-2, 10 points, 19:10)

It's been a tale of two Vitkovice teams in their first six CHL games this year. They lost their first three games in the group stage, scoring only 2 goals in total. Then they won their next three, scoring 17 in total. Defensively, they've been solid all along. They started with a 4-2 home-ice loss to Karpat Oulu, followed by a couple of tight-checking, defensive games on the road in which they were shut out in both Krefeld and Oulu. They needed a regulation win in their last group game against Krefeld to stay alive, and their offence finally woke up as they scored 3 early goals and eventually won 5-3 to overtake Die Pinguine in the standings. In the Round of 32 against HK Nitra, the team exploded for 12 goals and they didn't allow any in the most lopsided series in CHL history. Everybody knows, however, that the next two games against their own league champions will be much more difficult.

Ondrej

Roman

2+3, even

 

Top Forward: As mentioned, Vitkovice struggled offensively in their first three games before waking up in their last group game and then really breaking out against Nitra. The team now has 19 goals with four players recording 5 points each. One of those is Ondrej Roman, who accomplished the feat in only five games. The 27-year-old has been an offensive leader in Vitkovice for a few years now and is off to a blazing start in the Extraliga as well this season with 9 points in 12 games. He's not alone, though. Other forwards who can score include David Kveton and captain Rostislav Olesz. 

Karol

Sloboda

3+2, +2

 

Top Defenceman & CRAMO Top Scorer: Slovakian defenceman Karol Sloboda is a familiar face in Ostrava, now in his sixth season on Vitkovice's defence. Not only is he very reliable defensively, but he can contribute on offence as well, and is one of four players on the team with 5 CHL points so far – with 3 goals, he will wear the Top Scorer jersey. Another Slovak who is a steadying force on the blueline is 31-year-old Ivan Barinka, a new acquisition this season, who played seven seasons in the KHL. Both players have represented Slovakia at the World Championships in the past.

Patrik

Bartosak

89.19 %

 

Top Goaltender: Even though Daniel Dolejs has better numbers in this CHL season, it’s Patrik Bartosak who is is the clear No. 1 in Vitkovice’s crease. He started three games and played a key role in Vitkovice's only win in the group stage, which came in their last game on home ice against Krefeld. He returned from North America in the spring and soon made it clear he wants to be a leader on the boyhood team that he left five years ago. Dolejs posted a pair of shutouts against Nitra, and we might see him in at least one game against Liberec.

Click here for team statistics.

Closer look: Bili Tygri Liberec

(2-1-1-2, 9 points, 12:12)

Following a strong Extraliga campaign which ended with the White Tigers claiming their first Czech championship title this spring, the team from northern Bohemia was looking to continue their supremacy in international club hockey. fter the group stage, however, it was unclear whether this squad had what it takes in comparison with international teams. They finished right in the middle of their group, taking five of six points against Lorenskog IK from Norway, but only one of six from TPS Turku of Finland. In the Round of 32, they won 4-1 at home to Farjestad, then barely held on in Karlstad, losing by two to take the aggregate win by one goal. Last year, the team got to the Round of 16, first beating Linkoping HC before losing to HC Davos. This season they eliminated a Swedish team for the second straight year – now it's another Czech team that stands between them and their first-ever CHL Quarter-Final appearance. 

Vladimir

Svacina

3+2, +1

 

Top Forward & CRAMO Top Scorer: Seasoned CHL warrior Vladimir Svacina may be a surprise Top Scorer for the team as he only joined the Tigers this off-season. Following the departure of the top offensive line of Michal Repik, Petr Vampola and Michal Birner, the experienced right-winger has provided an offensive spark with 5 points in six games. The team has a good mix of talent up front, with Michal Bulir and Petr Jelinek and ranging in age from veteran Slovak Branko Radivojevic to Czech rookie of the year Dominik Lakatos. 

Radim

Simek

1+2, +2

 

Top Defenceman: It became clear about a year ago that a new star is budding under Mount Jested when Radim Simek started dominating the ice all night, every night. Later on he would play at the World Championship and gained recognition from several teammates as an NHL-calibre defenceman. The young blueliner has stayed humble despite his success and keeps on playing flawless hockey in the blue-and-white uniform. Another defenceman to watch for is veteran Martin Sevc, who just finished eliminating one of his former teams in the Round of 32.

Jan

Lasak

90.38 %

 

Top Goaltender: Not many CHL goalies have a resume as impressive as that of Liberec starting goalie Jan Lasak. The Slovak has been to the NHL and accumulated numerous awards throughout his storied career, most notably the World Championship gold in 2002 with a country that had never won it before. This spring he added his second Extraliga championship ring and, while his back-up Roman Will is meant to contest his No. 1 position in the crease and played well in the Round of 32 against Farjestad, it remains clear who the top netminder for coach Filip Pesan is.

Click here for team statistics.