Chomutov vs Sokolov

The game shifted when Chomutov lost discipline. Already shorthanded, they took a second penalty at 30:04, and while they killed that off, the momentum had clearly swung. Sokolov emerged for the third period with renewed purpose and tied the game with two quick strikes.

At 41:57, Jan Dalecký finished off a play set up by Vracovský and Perčič to make it 3-2. Then at 51:09, with Chomutov's Marek Baránek in the box again for hooking, Matyáš Adámek swept home the equaliser — assisted by Klejna and Radek Janata — to complete Sokolov's comeback from 3-0 down.

The Rocknet Aréna fell quiet. But the response from Chomutov was immediate and decisive.

Matyáš Svoboda (Chomutov) — The forward set up Šilar's goal in the second period and scored the game-winner at 55:32, cleaning up a rebound after Radim Handl's shot from the slot. He was involved in two of Chomutov's four goals and earned Man of the Match honours.

Radim Handl (Chomutov) — Assisted on the opening goal by Šprynar and drew the primary helper on the winner. His work below the goal line was the difference in the offensive zone.

Roman Málek (Chomutov) — The home netminder made several key saves, notably on a Valdis Dommers breakaway at 48:25 and on a František Klejna drive from the slot at 49:06, keeping Chomutov in front long enough for the late winner.

František Klejna (Sokolov) — The Sokolov defenceman was central to the comeback, assisting on both Lučkin's goal in the second period and Adámek's equaliser in the third.

Player of the Match: Matyáš Svoboda (Chomutov) — 1 goal, 1 assist, game-winner.

Chomutov scored twice in the opening 16 minutes on five first-period shots, converting their chances at a far higher rate than Sokolov. The penalty differential (7-6 in Chomutov's favour by infraction count, but 1:2 in power-play goals against) tells the story of the middle frame: Chomutov's 2+10 penalty to Baránek at 26:40 swung territorial control and gave Sokolov a platform to score twice on the ensuing power plays. The hosts managed just one shot on goal for a stretch of nearly 12 minutes in the second-to-third period transition, allowing Sokolov to work their way back from 3-0.

Attendance of 821 at the 5,250-capacity Rocknet Aréna reflected the pre-season setting, but those present saw an entertaining back-and-forth that offered clues about both teams' depth heading into the Maxa liga season.

The result avenged Chomutov's 4-1 loss to Sokolov on 11 August and gave head coach Richard Lobo his first pre-season win. Chomutov now hold a 1-2-1 record in pre-season (including a shootout loss to Litoměřice). Sokolov, under Tomáš Mariška, drop to 2-1-0 in friendly play.

Chomutov continue their pre-season schedule at home against HC Stadion Litoměřice on 3 September 2026. Sokolov face their next pre-season test away to HC VERVA Litvínov (date TBC).

A proper pre-season scrap: Chomutov's explosive start and late heroics papered over a worrying middle period where they lost structure and the penalty count ballooned. The resilience to respond immediately after Adámek's equaliser bodes well, but Richard Lobo will want to tighten discipline before the Maxa liga opener. For Sokolov, the fightback from 3-0 down showed character — the slow start and the inability to hold the point in the dying minutes are the real concerns.