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The Belfast Giants approach their final match of the Champions Hockey League ‘regular-season’ unhampered by expectation, knowing that they must topple Dynamo Pardubice to even stand a chance of advancing to the playoffs.
Adam Keefe and his squad have nothing to lose as they prepare for their make-or-break encounter with Czech Extraliga opposition on Wednesday [18 October], but should take confidence from their unbeaten start to the domestic season and unprecedented two-game winning run on the continent.
The Giants skate into the final group stage gameweek just two points (and places) below the playoff line after besting Red Bull Salzburg and HC Bolzano in recent weeks.
With regulation-time winners awarded three points, Belfast have a real shot at making the knockout rounds for the first time in franchise history.
“It’s just about winning as many games as possible and seeing where we end up,” said Keefe after his side tasted victory over Salzburg.
“We felt we were short changed a little bit on the road, we felt we could’ve picked up a couple of better results with a few bounces. But it’s extra special for us to win two at home and I’m really happy for the guys.”
Added game-winner Daniel Tedesco: “We’re going to try and take it one game at a time. We know that [the game versus Dynamo is] a big one coming up, but we also have two big ones coming up this weekend, so just one game at a time and we’ll battle through.”
Pardubice’s ticket to the playoffs already being punched should inject hope into Keefe’s equation. Dynamo are an elite opponent, albeit one with little to play for once they touchdown in Northern Ireland.
With that in mind, British Ice Hockey identifies three travelling players to watch on Wednesday, selecting one veteran, one career Extraliga skater, and a rookie who could slide into the line-up if Pardubice head coach Vaclav Varda rests his stars.
Former NHLer Lukas Radil could star for Dynamo Pardubice versus Belfast Giants
Lukas Radil continues to be a highly productive two-way forward in his thirties. Formerly of the San Jose Sharks and Spartak Moscow, the Caslav-born forward has been on a heater this season, notching a team-high 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 11 Extraliga appearances to start the campaign.
Radil, who is listed at 6-foot-3, boasts the kind of hockey intelligence and raw athleticism that every coach covets – Keefe included.
The Giants will do well to thwart the left-shooting forward, who signed a three-year contract with Dynamo this summer.
Extraliga veteran Peter Čerešňák set to play key role for Dynamo Pardubice at SSE Arena
Peter Čerešňák is extremely familiar with the Champions Hockey League’s trials and tribulations, appearing in six editions of the competition over the span of a storied 11-year professional career.
The 30-year-old blueliner was an important member of the Slovakia roster that won bronze at the latest Winter Olympic Games, an achievement he compounded by winning the Extraliga Defenceman of the Season Award a matter of months later.
Čerešňák has six points (all of them assists) in five Champions Hockey League appearances for Pardubice this season and will play a prominent role in Belfast – provided he isn’t rested with league commitments in mind.
Rookie defender Michal Hrádek could step into top four role for Dynamo Pardubice
Finally, a word on promising defenceman Michal Hrádek.
The 21-year-old, a bottom-pair player for Dynamo, has posted three points (all assists) in fourteen appearances to start the season and is slowly building a reputation for playing responsible hockey at both ends of the ice.
If Varda rotates his squad in Belfast, Hrádek will move into the top four and benefit from the rare opportunity to play in all situations against the Giants.
