Poprad Complete Stunning Series Comeback, Defeat Zilina 3-1 to Reach Extraliga Semi-Finals

HK Poprad completed one of the most memorable playoff turnarounds in recent Slovak hockey history, defeating Vlci Zilina 3-1 in Game 6 on 28 March 2026 to win the Tipsport Liga quarter-final series 4-2. Just ten days earlier, Poprad had been 0-2 down with their season on the brink.

A First-Period Strike Sets the Tone

The opening twenty minutes were tightly contested as Zilina pressed to keep their series hopes alive, and Poprad absorbed the pressure despite a Too Many Men penalty in the 5th minute — killing the kill-off attempt without conceding. The game's defining moment came with barely 13 seconds remaining in the first period. Defenseman M. Bodak produced a composed finish off a pinpoint pass from J. Majdan, with A. Cracknell providing the secondary assist. The late goal was a hammer blow to Zilina's psychology and sent Poprad into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead and all the momentum.

Poprad Strike Again, Zilina Pull One Back

Poprad came out purposefully in the second period and doubled their lead 9 minutes in. J. Majdan — the standout performer on the ice — slipped behind Zilina's defensive line and fed A. Calof with a measured through-pass. Calof finished low past LaCouvée to make it 2-0, with M. Lefebvre adding the secondary assist. Zilina momentarily showed life when M. Holenda converted from the blue line in the 14th minute — assisted by R. Dej and J. Balaz — to cut the deficit to 2-1. The tension in the arena was palpable, but Poprad regrouped and held firm through to the second intermission.

Third Period Discipline Seals the Deal

The final period was a study in defensive resilience from Poprad. Despite two more penalty kills — M. Vandas for Holding at 4 minutes and a Too Many Men infringement at 15 minutes — Poprad's penalty kill unit was immaculate, denying Zilina any late equaliser. As Zilina pulled their goaltender in the final minutes, A. Naus calmly slid the puck into the empty net at the 18th minute, assisted by A. Calof and M. Nemcik, sparking a full-throated roar from the 4,233 supporters in attendance.

What It Means

Poprad's 3-1 victory sealed a 4-2 series win after they had fallen 0-2 behind — the first two games were lost on the road in Zilina. The turnaround owed much to the team's attacking depth, a suffocating defensive structure and the outstanding play of J. Majdan, who drove the offence throughout the second half of the series. Poprad advance to the semi-finals to face HC Slovan Bratislava — traditionally the biggest club in Slovak hockey. For Zilina, a team that had finished fourth in the regular season and dominated the opening exchanges of the series, it ends a season of considerable promise without the silverware their start threatened to deliver.

Sources:

• Poprad je v semifinále — Sportweb Pravda
• HK Poprad – Vlci Žilina, 6. zápas štvrťfinále — HokejSpravy.sk
• HIGHLIGHT: HK Poprad – Vlci Žilina 3:1 — JOJ Šport