Kometa Brno Secures First Victory in Playoff Series Against České Budějovice

Brno, Czech Republic – HC Kometa Brno defeated Banes Motor České Budějovice 2-1 in the first match of the preliminary round of the Czech Extraliga playoffs on Tuesday, March 9, 2026. The victory gives Kometa a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game Summary

Kometa Brno started strong, taking the lead in the 5th minute with a goal from Zábranský, assisted by Š. Stránský and Flek. Zbořil initially extended the lead, but the goal was disallowed after review for offside. České Budějovice responded in the second period, equalizing with a goal from Cibulka, assisted by Lantoši and Bulíř. The decisive goal came in the 52nd minute from Jan Ščotka, assisted by Kollár and K. Pospíšil, securing the win for Kometa.

Key Statistics

• Final Score: HC Kometa Brno 2 – Banes Motor České Budějovice 1
• Goals: Zábranský (5’), Ščotka (52’) – Cibulka (39’)
• Shots on Goal: Kometa Brno 20 – České Budějovice 30
• Attendance: 7,126
• Series Standings: Kometa Brno leads 1-0

Player Highlights

Jan Ščotka scored the game-winning goal for Kometa Brno. Aleš Stezka of Kometa Brno and Tomáš Cibulka of České Budějovice were named the players of the game.

Team Lineups

HC Kometa Brno

Stezka (Krošelj) – F. Král, Zábranský, Ščotka, Bartejs, Gulaši, Ďaloga, J. Zdráhal – K. Pospíšil, T. Zohorna, H. Zohorna – Š. Stránský, Kollár, Flek – Selič, Ilomäki, Hartl – Cingel, A. Zbořil, Ekrt – Ferda.

Banes Motor České Budějovice

Klouček (Strmeň) – Vála, Kachyňa, Cibulka, Kubíček, Štencel, Pýcha, Vráblík – Holešinský, Bulíř, Lantoši – Přikryl, Harris, Olesen – P. Novák, Hoch, Ordoš – M. Beránek, Toman, Valský – Chlubna.

Next Game

The series continues with the second game on Wednesday, March 10, 2026, in Brno.

Sources: HC Kometa Brno, Sport.cz