Bili Tygri Liberec got off to a great start in their Round of 32 series against Linkoping, leading 4–1 after one period. That score held up, and they take a three-goal lead into Game 2. Their offence was sparked by a hat-trick from Michal Bulir, who spoke after the game.

by Jan Kousal

LIBEREC – Paired up against Linkoping HC in the Round of 32, Bili Tygri Liberec were not picked by many people to advance. They still haven't done so, but they did themselves a favour by winning 4–1 on home ice, which gives themselves a three-goal cushion heading into Game 2 in Linkoping on 6 October. All the scoring  in Game 1 was done in the first period, and most of it by Liberec winger Michal Bulir, who had a hat-trick after 14:51 of play – his third goal a beautiful individual effort that restored his team's two-goal lead just 11 seconds after Linkoping got on the board. 

Bulir was obviously in good spirits after the game – not only because he helped his team win, but because the goals haven't come easy lately for the talented young forward. The three goals are his first three points of the season after going pointless in eight previous CHL and Czech Extraliga games.

Click HERE to see highlights of the game, including Bulir's three goals. 

Michal, what did your team do to win this game against one of the top Swedish clubs?

“We controlled the start the game and actually the whole first period, so that's how we got a jump on them. We put a few goals in and we got them under pressure. Then we let up a little, I don't know why. They started attacking us, and got to the loose pucks. I'm just glad we did it and we made ​​it to the end with this score, which isn't a bad situation at all.”

The Swedes arrived in Liberec just before the game. Do you think that it affected their start?

“It's possible that right out of that plane they had heavy legs. It's no fun to travel on the day of the game. Long trip, no morning skate, no time to acclimatize . . . so it certainly could have, but we concentrated on ourselves and we're glad we won today.”

Last year you actually experienced that too, didn't you?

“Yes we did. I don't remember if we flew to Sweden or Finland, but it's definitely not easy on the plane sitting in the same position and not moving your legs, and then having to play right away.”

For you personally, this was your first hat-trick tonight since the Extraliga quarter-finals in 2012.

“That's true. At the time, it was my first game in the playoffs, and since then nothing. At least this is a bit of a reminder for me that I can still do it.” (laughing)

Before today, you didn't even have any points in the CHL or Extraliga. How big of a relief is this for you?

“Thanks for reminding me exactly what I needed to hear. (laughing again) No, I'm kidding. Perhaps it'll give me some confidence. I think that sometimes you just need to get one and then your confidence rises, and the good things just keep happening.”

Does a hat-trick in the Champions League cost you anything?

“Absolutely! It doesn't matter if you're playing Jablonec or in Linkoping. A hat-trick is a hat-trick.”

Who collects the money?

“Michal Plutnar. It used to be Jan Vytisk, but he didn't have the nerve for it.” (laughing again)

What do you have to do to be successful in the Champions Hockey League?

“Win. I think that when we're at home and beat a Swedish team, that means something. They say that Nordic hockey is aggressive, fast and strong. And we beat them, people could see it with their own eyes.”

You're up by three goals heading into the second game in Linkoping. Do you think that's a safe lead?

“No, definitely not. For them, anything can happen. I saw that they beat Bern 7–1 or something like that. So we have to be ready to play, and not take anything for granted. It's one game, for sure. We have to stick to our own game and our system.”

Will you change your strategy at all for the second game?

“That's up to the coach, so we'll see.”