Jihlava vs Pardubice B

The opening period passed without a goal. Pardubice B enjoyed territorial advantage in the first 10 minutes but could not convert. Jihlava grew into the game as the period progressed, yet neither side mustered a finish that truly tested the goalkeepers.

Period scores: 0–0, 0–0, 0–1

The second period was Jihlava's best. The hosts created several opportunities — Maxim Burkov was denied in front of an open net at 20:31 after a feed from Kupriianov, and Tomáš Menšík fired wide on a two-on-one at 22:38. Jihlava also enjoyed a 1-minute-46-second five-on-three power play (28:13–29:59 after penalties to Rájek and Formánek) but could not break through Pardubice B's goalkeeper Matěcha. Patriks Ozols had a goal disallowed at 30:59 for being batted in by hand.

42:44 — Goal: Dominik Pavlata (Pardubice B) 0–1. The visitors broke the deadlock early in the third period. Dominik Hrníčko led a two-on-one rush; his initial shot was saved, but the rebound fell loose in the crease where Dominik Pavlata reacted quickest to force the puck over the line. Assists went to Hrníčko and Petr Hauser.

Jihlava pushed for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes but could not manufacture a clear finish. The hosts pulled goaltender Adam Beran for an extra attacker with 22 seconds remaining (59:38), but two penalties in the final 3 minutes — Ozols for slashing (57:07) and Michnáč for holding (57:51) — ended any realistic hope of a comeback.

Pavlata's goal at 42:44, from a loose puck after Hrníčko's initial chance was parried. The sequence started with a crisp transition — Hrníčko carried through the neutral zone, drawing the defence before releasing a shot that left a rebound Pavlata could finish. Jihlava had dominated possession in the middle period without reward; conceding first meant the home side had to chase the game, and their power-play inefficiency (0-for-6 on the night) proved costly.

• Dominik Pavlata (Pardubice B) — Player of the Match. Scored the game's only goal, a third-period strike from close range that decided the contest.
• Adam Beran (Jihlava) — Made several key saves including a sharp stop on Hauser at 55:55 to keep his side in it until the final minute.
• Dominik Hrníčko (Pardubice B) — Drew the primary assist on Pavlata's goal by creating the two-on-one and getting the initial shot on net.
• Goalkeeper Matěcha (Pardubice B) — Faced sustained Jihlava pressure in the second period and kept a clean sheet, including weathering a 1:46 five-on-three power play.

The 0–0 score after two periods reflected a game of low danger: Jihlava controlled more of the puck in the middle frame but lacked a cutting edge, particularly on a 1:46 five-on-three advantage that produced no finish. Pardubice B were economical — one real chance, one goal. Jihlava took seven minor penalties to Pardubice B's three, disrupting any rhythm the hosts tried to build in the third period.

This was the return leg of a home-and-home set: Jihlava had won 5–1 at Pardubice B on 25 August. The 0–1 result at Horácká aréna means the teams split the two-game pre-season series.

For Jihlava, this was only their third pre-season defeat (now 4W-2L-1OTL by the club's count). The Maxa Liga season opens on 9 September 2026 — Jihlava host HC Poruba on matchday one. Pardubice B improved to 4W-3L in pre-season; their Maxa Liga campaign also starts on 9 September 2026 at home against HC ZUBR Přerov.

A tight, low-event pre-season game settled by one moment of opportunistic finishing. Pavlata's goal was the only difference between two sides who meet again in Maxa Liga regular-season action on 30 September 2026 at Horácká aréna. Jihlava's power-play struggles (0-for-6) will be a genuine concern as preparations conclude.