Tight university hockey showdown decided in final minute by MUNI

In the fourth season of the popular event University Hockey Battle, victory returned to Masaryk University after two years. Brno University of Technology (BUT) couldn't follow up on last year's win, and HC MUNI defeated them 4-3. An incredible 7,700 spectators watched the thrilling game, and the organizers announced a sold-out event! This year, for the first time, the event was sold out more than a week in advance, marking a historic success for the entire organizing team and the university hockey league. The entire match was accompanied by a deafening atmosphere, with both sides of the stadium loudly cheering their university's players to perform their best. The atmosphere was dominated by BUT fans, who won the battle of the stands 6-4.

The MUNI players were more active at the start of the game, but it was the Cavaliers who managed to score the first goal, bringing joy to their fans in the sold-out stands! BUT's lead was secured by Dominik Jeřábek. Masaryk University entered the second period trailing by one goal, and their start to the second period did not go as planned. Once again, it was the Cavaliers who celebrated the next goal, with Mirek Březina sending the puck behind goalkeeper Filip Král. However, the next few minutes on the ice belonged to the Bears. First, in a curious turn of events, MUNI’s rookie Matyáš Horský managed to score while lying down. Tadeáš Jakubec then reduced the score to 2-2.

The third period promised drama with the score tied. MUNI’s third goal came from Vojtěch Kadlic, turning the game around and giving Masaryk University the lead for the first time! But in the 53rd minute, to the delight of the Cavaliers, David Cekr scored during a power play, leveling the score once again. The tension on the ice and in the stands was rising. At 59:44, the game was decided by a beautiful individual effort from Tadeáš Jakubec. BUT tried to gamble without a goalkeeper, but nothing more happened in the game.

The player of the game for BUT was the outstanding goalkeeper Štěpán Zlatnický. On MUNI's side, the best player was Richard Babulík.

"It’s a real shame, the boys and I fought hard. I think we can hold our heads high, but luck wasn’t on our side, unfortunately. There will be a rematch next year! The key was losing our two-goal lead; the opponent managed to get back into the game. The first goal was a bit unlucky, and MUNI caught a wave of momentum, making it hard to turn things around after that. We tied it up, but we were 15 seconds short," said Dominik Jeřábek, BUT’s first goal scorer.

The University Hockey Battle doesn’t end with this match! VUT Cavaliers Brno still have the rest of the season ahead of them in the University Ice Hockey League. Be sure to attend one of the home games and keep supporting your university!