Nitra Edge Poprad in Shootout to Take 2-1 Series Lead

HK Nitra took the upper hand in their Slovak Extraliga semifinal against HK Poprad on 7 April 2026, winning a thrilling Game 3 by 3-2 after penalties — the second shootout of Nitra's playoff run this season. Josh Passolt's brace in the decisive round sent 4,233 fans inside the Poprad arena home disappointed, and leaves Nitra firmly in the driving seat.

First Period: Nitra Strike Early

Nitra came out with purpose and needed just nine minutes to open the scoring. A precise combination from Chrenko and Stacha created the space for Artur Turanský, who guided the puck past Filip Belányi to give the visitors a 0-1 lead. Poprad struggled to create chances of their own and headed into the first break trailing.

Second Period: Twice Level, Twice Behind

The 29th minute brought Poprad's equaliser when Aurel Nauš finished off a slick move built by Martin Bodák and McLeod — 1-1, and the home crowd found their voice. The celebrations were cut abruptly short: just 67 seconds later Michal Krištof, set up by Buček and Paulovič, restored the Nitra lead. That quick-fire double swing in momentum underlined Nitra's clinical quality, and the teams went into the final period with Nitra leading 2-1.

Third Period: Bodák Equalises Again

Poprad showed real character. Martin Bodák — who had already assisted Nauš's equaliser — proved his class once more, slapping in a Török pass in the 44th minute to level at 2-2. Neither side could find a winner through the remaining minutes; referees Novák and Výleta kept the card count low, with only three minor penalties across the entire game.

Overtime and Shootout: Passolt the Hero

Five minutes of overtime produced no goals despite both teams threatening. The match went to a shootout for the second time in Nitra's 2025-26 playoffs. Adam Cracknell stepped up first for Poprad and converted. But Josh Passolt answered immediately for Nitra. When Cracknell failed to score a second time, Passolt stepped forward again and beat Belányi with an identical deke — the same move, the same result, and the tie was Nitra's.

What It Means

Nitra lead the best-of-seven semifinal 2-1 and are now favourites to reach the Extraliga final. Poprad, who have shown they can score and compete on level terms in regulation, must regroup quickly: Game 4 was played the following evening in Poprad, and the home crowd will need to provide maximum support. With Bodák in this kind of form and Belányi solid in goal, Poprad are far from finished — but the margin for error is narrowing.