HC Vítkovice Ridera were left frustrated after a 3-2 home defeat to HC Dynamo Pardubice, despite a performance Jindřich Abdul believes was better than the result suggests. Vítkovice competed with the reigning champions, but Dynamo took control during a difficult spell for the hosts in the second period and scored the goals that proved decisive.
“It’s frustrating. The game was open and we were close to getting points,” Abdul said. “We fought and left everything out there, but unfortunately luck wasn’t quite on our side.” He added that Vítkovice had shown they could play against Pardubice, even if it was difficult to keep such a strong opponent under pressure for the full 60 minutes.
A fight between Marek Kalus and John Ludvig late in the middle period helped lift the home side. Ludvig, making his first appearance of the season, came out on top. Chad Yetman then scored on the power play to cut the deficit, but there were no further goals.
Abdul said the performance could provide a boost, while stressing that points were what mattered. Vítkovice had seven points and sat 12th, but he felt their play under coach Yorick Treille had improved.