"It's not over. We want to move on" - Vítkovice's Dominik Lakatoš

Vítkovice Ridera fell 4-2 to Skellefteå AIK in the First Game of their Semi-Finals series in the 2023/24 season of the Champions Hockey League.

After dropping a 2-1 lead in the first period, the Czechs struggled to get back into the game or get anything past a spectacular Linus Söderström, who made nearly 30 saves, in net.

Vítkovice captain and team top scorer Dominik Lakatoš scored his side's opening goal of the game on the powerplay.

"I think it just wasn't our day." Dominik Lakatoš, Vítkovice Ridera

"There were periods of play where we really pushed them but the second period was a bit sloppy from us," started the Vítkovice captain.

If anyone was expecting a slow and cautious start to this Semi-Finals series, they would have been left very surprised because when the first buzzer sounded, the scoreboard already read 2-2. What were his thoughts on such a hectic opening 20 minutes?

"It was tough, especially the short-handed equaliser they scored which was sort of a deciding moment of the game, that knocked us back," he responded, mentioning Skellefteå's 2-2 equaliser in the 11th minute of the game, "but we had our chances!"

Vítkovice outshot their opponent but had trouble converting (Photo: Petr Kotala)

Losing by two goals on home ice puts Vítkovice into a tough position heading into next week's series decider in Sweden. Do the Czechs have a chance?

"We were two goals down against the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in the Quarter-Finals and we managed to turn that around," reminded Lakatoš, "it's not over - we want to move on."

What will they have to change against Skellefteå?

"We've got a lot of work to do ahead of the Return Game next week, they were a really good opponent, I think it just wasn't our day."

Vítkovice Ridera will face Skellefteå AIK in the Return Game of their Semi-Finals series in Sweden on Tuesday, 16 January, at 19:00 CET.