Jan Schleiss scored his first goal of the season as HC Škoda Plzeň beat Motor České Budějovice, extended their unbeaten home run and climbed to fourth in the table. The assistant captain said he was relieved to score, adding that it did not matter that his goal came into an empty net: he was glad to skate past a player and carry the puck over the line.
Schleiss pointed to two quick goals late in the second period as key to the win, including the 3-1 goal four seconds before the break. Plzeň also benefited from a successful offside challenge that stopped Motor from immediately levelling. He said his team had been instructed to shoot more after Motor changed goalkeepers, as Matyáš Mařík was making his first appearance of the season.
Schleiss described the Czech league as physical and full of battles, while Champions League teams focus more on playing hockey. He also praised Carter Robertson, who recorded three points, saying he had settled into the dressing room well and was “a step above” on the ice.