In its first weekend of action, the Champions Hockey League saw many highlight-reel goals. Perhaps the first of the bunch was orchestrated by Ocelari Trinec's Marek Trocinsky on Saturday against SC Bern, when he shot the puck through his legs, a la Tomas Hertl.
by Daniel Jezek
TRINEC - From the perspective of the home team, it was as perfect a start to the Champions Hockey League as could be expected. The fans inside brand-new Werk Arena saw a fight between Rostislav Klesla and Justin Krueger, a 35-save shutout from goalie Simon Hrubec, a four-point performance by Jiri Polansky and a spectacular goal by Marek Troncinsky. The Trinec defenceman took the puck at the blue line, skated in front of the net and, with a shot between his legs just like Tomas Hertl in the NHL, scored his team's fourth goal of the game.
Click here to watch the game highlights, including Trocinsky's goal starting at 1:20.
Marek, 7-0 tells the story. But was it really that easy?
"No, it was not an easy game. We went into the game in a good frame of mind, we were prepared 100 percent. Before the game the coaches said to us that this wouldn't be an easy game. I think that Bern underestimated us. They were nervous, couldn't get into the game and started to fight. In the second period our goalie made some good saves, and after that we controlled the play."
Then you scored a beautiful goal. Can you describe it?
"Coach Vaclav Varada sent me out with the penalty-killing unit and told me to play responsibly. I intercepted the pass, got the puck and skated to the net. I immediately knew what I was going to do. It was a lucky goal - the puck went between the goalie's arm and body. I'm so glad about it."
Had you tried that move before in practice?
"It's not so hard at all. I tried it a few times but I can't say that I practice it all season long. Definitely not like Robert Kysela when he did this to Petr Briza."
Tomas Hertl scored a similar goal last season and many people said that it was disrespectful. Are you afraid of the same reaction?
"He did it at very different score. I increased our lead to four goals. The outcome wasn't decided yet. If I did it at the end of the game when we had a seven-goal lead, then maybe. But I think that the way you score is less important than the goal itself."
You were three goals ahead. Is that why you did it?
"I would have done it even if the score was 0-0. I didn't think about that if I failed, no one would care. I already tried it last year but I missed then. I'm so glad that I finaly did it."