Jihlava vs Tabor

Jihlava controlled the opening period but only broke through at 12:07. Marcel Štefančík opened the scoring after Richard Cachnín and Patrik Chvátal combined to set him up, putting Dukla ahead 1-0 at the first intermission.

The home side doubled their lead at 27:39 of the second period when Richard Cachnín finished from a Bergmanis feed to make it 2-0. Tábor responded before the end of the frame — Milan Dančišin stole the puck near the crease and fired a quick shot along the ice past Jihlava goalkeeper Bican at 35:18, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Jihlava struck early in the third period. Richard Cachnín scored his second of the night at 41:35, receiving a pass from Matouš Menšík in the circle and firing a one-timer past Tábor netminder Novotný to restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Tábor refused to fade. Lukáš Prášek unleashed a shot from the top of the circle that found the top corner at 49:49, with assists from Šimon Slavíček and Filip Haman, making it 3-2 and setting up a tense finish.

Jihlava's response to Tábor's second goal proved decisive. At 53:18, Alex Rimko received a pass from Matěj Vildomec in the circle and beat Novotný to the near post, restoring Jihlava's two-goal lead at 4-2. Moments later, Prášek was sent to the box for holding (54:02), and Jihlava made him pay. Marcel Štefančík converted on the power play at 55:36, one-timing a cross-ice pass from Menšík past Novotný to seal the 5-2 victory.

Two goals in a 2:18 span — Rimko's 53:18 strike and Štefančík's 55:36 power-play goal — effectively killed the contest just as Tábor had clawed back into it.

Marcel Štefančík (Jihlava) — Two goals (12:07, 55:36 PP), including the opener and the insurance goal that sealed the win. His power-play strike at 55:36 was the dagger.

Richard Cachnín (Jihlava) — Two goals (27:39, 41:35), both breaking the game open after Tábor had kept it close. Added an assist on Štefančík's opener.

Matouš Menšík (Jihlava) — Two primary assists (41:35, 55:36), setting up Cachnín's second and Štefančík's power-play clincher. Also drew a slashing penalty in the first period.

Lukáš Prášek (Tábor) — One goal (49:49) that pulled Tábor within one, but also took the holding penalty that led to Jihlava's decisive fifth goal.

Player of the Match: Marcel Štefančík (Jihlava)

Jihlava's 5-2 scoreline flattered their dominance in the final six minutes but masked a more competitive contest. Tábor twice reduced the deficit to one goal, at 2-1 and 3-2, and had chances to level — notably when they hit the post at 52:26 and forced Bican into a glove save moments later. The penalty differential was minimal (two minors each), but Prášek's holding penalty at 54:02 proved costly, as Jihlava converted the ensuing power play to make it 5-2. The attendance of 1,252 at Horácká aréna reflected solid interest for an early-August pre-season friendly.

Jihlava's 5-2 win extends their unbeaten run against Tábor to six matches (5 wins, 1 draw equivalent in their last 6 H2H meetings). The sides have now met 13 times since 2009, with Jihlava holding an 8-5 edge. Both teams have scored in 11 of those 13 meetings (85%), and over 2.5 goals has landed in 12 of 13 (92%) — a trend this fixture continues to uphold.

This was the first pre-season fixture (P01) for both sides ahead of the 2026/27 Maxa liga season. Jihlava, coached by Viktor Ujčík, used a rotated squad with goaltender Žajdlík starting before being replaced by Bican at 30:13. New signing Jaroslav Brož (from Litvínov) featured in the forward lines.

Jihlava's next pre-season test is on Thursday 6 August away to Banes Motor České Budějovice (an Extraliga side), a significant step up in opposition. Tábor, coached by Tomáš Hamara, will look to tighten defensively after conceding five goals on the road.

A deserved win for Jihlava, who showed greater composure in the decisive moments. Tábor's willingness to fight back twice is encouraging for a side early in pre-season, but Prášek's costly penalty and the two goals conceded in 2:18 highlight areas to address before the competitive season begins. Jihlava's firepower — five different players on the scoresheet, two with multi-goal games — suggests they are further along in their preparations.