Already-qualified Ilves Tampere were dealt their first loss of the season last night when hosts Färjestad Karlstad scored a late 3-3 equaliser and added an OT game-winner to seal Champions Hockey League Playoffs qualification for their own.
"I think we played well, despite the loss," thinks Ilves' Petr Kodýtek who scored on the night, "we still scored one point which is good in the end."
Finnish side Ilves scored under six minutes into this game and after some back-and-forth, re-took the lead with Kodýtek's goal at 51:55. But Färjestad had their own plans.
"It was a tough game, they have a good team, good skaters, we really tried to play against them," added the 25-year-old who is in his first season with Ilves.
"We're really looking forward to the Playoffs!"Petr Kodýtek, Ilves Tampere
"It's a shame we couldn't hold the score with just two minutes to go," he reflects, noting that just seconds proved important.
Loss aside, Ilves have been flying sky high both domestically and in the CHL where they punched their ticket for the Playoffs at the end of the September portion of games
"Our season start has been great," he siad, "we might be a bit sad that we lost tonight but but we're really looking forward to the Playoffs and what happens!"
The Czech native has scored seven points (2G+5A) in five games and is his team's second-most productive player in the CHL this season.
"I've really been enjoying my time here, I have great line mates and we have a great team," he ended.