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Nitra Survives Match Point. Lacka Wins It on the Power Play

HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 in Game 5 of the Tipsport Liga final to cut the series to 2-3. After leading 3-0 after one period, Nitra survived a Slovan rally and Jakub Lacka's 60:00 power-play goal sealed it.

2026-04-30T19:00:00+00:00
5. zápas finále play-off: HK Nitra – HC Slovan Bratislava 5:3 (3:0, 0:2, 2:1)

Nitra Survives Match Point. Lacka Wins It on the Power Play

HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 in Game 5 of the Tipsport Liga 2025/26 final, cutting the series to 2-3 and sending the final back to Bratislava. After racing to a 3-0 first-period lead and watching Slovan tie it 3-3 in the third, Nitra got a 60:00 power-play winner from Jakub Lacka and an empty-netter from Matej Paulovič to seal a remarkable survival.

HK Nitra – HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 (3-0, 0-2, 2-1)

Goals: 1 Jackson (Stacha, Čederle), 13 Chrenko (Lacka, Okolicány), 18 Paulovič (Krištof, Čederle), 60 Lacka (PP), 60 Paulovič (Vitaloš, Stacha, EN) – 37 Královič (Acolatse, Varga, PP), 40 Pecararo (Peterek, O'Connor, PP), 45 Dmowski (Šimun, Bačik).

Goalies: Ferguson – Kiviaho. Penalties: 4-5 minors plus Takáč 5+GM for cross-checking. Power plays: 1-2, shorthanded: 0-0. Attendance: 3,600 (sold out).

/series: 2-3/

Three goals in 18 minutes

Nitra came out flying. Robby Jackson scored 45 seconds in (Stacha, Čederle), Tomáš Chrenko added a second at 13:00 (Lacka, Okolicány) and Matej Paulovič — stepping into the lineup for the suspended Samuel Buček — made it 3-0 at 18:00 (Krištof, Čederle). The first period was a near-flawless start.

Slovan rallies — and ties it

The visitors clawed back. Tomáš Královič scored on the power play at 37:00 (Acolatse, Varga) for 1-3. Liam Pecararo's own power-play goal at 40:00 (Peterek, O'Connor) made it 2-3 at the second intermission. Robert Dmowski tied it 3-3 at 45:00 (Šimun, Bačik), and the title looked within Slovan's grasp.

The disallowed goal that flipped the night

At 56:00 Tomáš Marcinko collided with goalie Ferguson and the puck went in. Officials reviewed and ruled goaltender interference — no goal. Nitra immediately drew a power play, and Jakub Lacka beat Kiviaho at 60:00 for 4-3. Paulovič then sealed the win with an empty-netter (Vitaloš, Stacha) in the final seconds.

What it means

Nitra cuts the series to 2-3 and earns at least one more game. Slovan, missing top scorer Takáč, couldn't finish a comeback that briefly had them within seconds of a title. Game 6 in Bratislava on 28 April gives Slovan a second match point — and gives Nitra one last shot at sending the series to a winner-takes-all Game 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

?What was the final score of Game 5?
HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 (3-0, 0-2, 2-1) on 26 April 2026 in Nitra.
?What is the series score after Game 5?
Slovan leads 3-2. Game 6 is on 28 April 2026 in Bratislava.
?Who scored for Nitra?
Robby Jackson (0:45, Stacha & Čederle), Tomáš Chrenko (13:00, Lacka & Okolicány), Matej Paulovič (18:00, Krištof & Čederle; 60:00 empty-net, Vitaloš & Stacha) and Jakub Lacka (60:00 PP).
?Who scored for Slovan Bratislava?
Tomáš Královič (37:00 PP, Acolatse & Varga), Liam Pecararo (40:00 PP, Peterek & O'Connor) and Robert Dmowski (45:00, Šimun & Bačik).
?Why was Marcinko's goal disallowed at 56:00?
Marcinko collided with goalie Ferguson, and after video review officials waved off the goal for goaltender interference. The decision was the pivotal moment of the game — that goal would have given Slovan a 4-3 lead and likely the title.
?Which players were missing in Game 5?
Nitra played without Samuel Buček (one-game suspension). Slovan was missing Samuel Takáč (suspended for cross-checking from Game 4) — the leading scorer in the series.