Maxa Liga Final: Zlín vs. Dukla Jihlava in Decisive Game 7

HC Dukla Jihlava and Berani Zlín are set to compete in a deciding seventh game of the Maxa liga final on April 14, 2026. The winner of this final matchup will advance to the baráž, the promotion and relegation playoff for the extraliga.

The outcome of this game will determine which team joins Litvínov in the baráž. Litvínov is currently awaiting the result of the final to identify their opponent for the promotion series.

Series Progression and Recent Results

The series reached a deadlock following a series of closely contested games. On April 12, 2026, HC Dukla Jihlava secured a 1:0 victory in overtime to tie the series. The deciding goal was scored in the 75th minute by defender Patriks Ozols.

This victory allowed Jihlava to turn the series around in the sixth final game, keeping their hopes alive for a return to the extraliga baráž, a milestone the club has not reached in three years.

Prior to that, Berani Zlín held a lead in the series. In the fifth final game played on April 10, 2026, Zlín defeated Jihlava 3:1 on Jihlava’s home ice. That victory gave Zlín a 3:2 lead in the series at the time.

The decisive goals in the April 10 match were scored by Jakub Šlahař at 53:40 and Petr Holík, who sealed the win with a goal into an empty net at 59:47.

Key Match Details

The seventh and final game is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 3:30 PM UTC. The match serves as the culmination of the Maxa liga season, with both teams fighting for the title and the opportunity to compete for a spot in the top flight.

The series has been characterized by tactical battles and tight scoring, as evidenced by the 1:0 overtime result in Game 6 and the narrow margins in previous encounters.

For HC Dukla Jihlava, the victory on April 12 was a critical step in avoiding elimination and forcing the deciding game. For Berani Zlín, the challenge is to reclaim the momentum they had following their victory on April 10.