On the team's first good scoring chance of the game, Jan Buchtele finished off a beautiful three-way passing play with linemates Martin Reway and Daniel Pribyl to open the scoring. He scored once more in the game, which Sparta Prague won, and spoke afterward

by David Soumar

PRAGUE – He hasn’t scored a goal in Czech Extraliga yet this season, but in in the CHL Jan Buchtele is lighting it up with five goals now in five games, which puts the 25-year-old in the top five in the tournament in goal-scoring. His two most recent goals were scored on Tuesday against ZSC Lions Zurich, helping his team to a 3–2 win. That means that Sparta travel to Zurich with a one-goal lead in their two-game, total-goal series. 

Jan, you won the game against Zurich. Was it the best game you’ve played in the CHL so far?

“It was our first playoff game, and it was much tougher than the previous ones. We really want to win, and we succeeded, so we can travel to Switzerland with a good feeling.” 

For a big part of the game you were in a three-goal lead. But then the Lions managed to come back partially and scored two goals. Will that make it more difficult to advance to the next round?

“In a way it could be more difficult for us. On the other hand we don’t want to calculate too much. We will travel to Zurich with only aim – we want to win the game – and then we don't have to worry about the number of goals that were scored against.” 

You scored two goals in the game. Can you be satisfied with your performance?
 
“I think I can. I am not as successful in the Czech league as I am here. I haven't scored any goals in the Extraliga this year so far. I am really happy with scoring these two goals. I think I helped my team as much as I could. Everybody on our line played very well – we didn’t even screw up anything on defence.” 

What can you say about the first goal? That was a great play by everyone on your line.

“It was great cooperation of all three players. If this isn't part of the season's highlights, we will be really disappointed.” (laughing)

Watch the highlights of the game HERE, which include two goals from Buchtele, starting with the beautiful three-way passing play mentioned in the last question.

One of your linemates was Martin Reway, the top scorer of your team in the CHL. Do you think it helped you in a way?
 
“Honestly, I don't care about the compositions of the lines that much. I played with Reway last year, so we are used to each other. We know what we can expect. I think we usually play really well together.” 

It seemed like you weren't afraid to battle hard in front of the opposing net.
  
“You know, it happens. They tried to play more physically and we felt it. We just want to show them that we won’t tolerate it.” 

You played against Auston Mathews, a talented young player. Did you noticed his skills?
 
“I don’t usually care about the opponents. I want to concentrate on my own game. I heard that he would be playing for them but, as I said, I only think about our team.”   

Read more on this Round of 32 series HERE.