Presov vs Dukla Trencin — Baraze Round 10: Slovak Hockey's Relegation Showdown

With just three rounds of the Tipsport Liga baraze remaining, {{homeTeam}} host {{awayTeam}} on {{matchDate}} in what could prove to be the most decisive fixture of the entire relegation playoff. Both clubs entered the baraze from the bottom two positions of the regular season, and now, remarkably, they lead the four-team survival group — separated by just three points.

The Stakes: Top-Flight Status on the Line

The {{leagueName}} baraze pits the two weakest teams from the main season — Presov (12th, 38 pts) and Dukla Trencin (11th, 61 pts) — against second-tier sides Skalica and Humenne in a 12-round round-robin competition. Only the top two teams in this mini-table retain their place in the Tipsport Liga for 2026/27. The bottom two drop to the Tipos SHL.

After six rounds, Presov have defied their dismal regular-season form to claim first place with 15 points, while Trencin sit second on 12. Skalica (5 pts) and Humenne (4 pts) are already facing an uphill battle, meaning the real battle for second place is now a straight duel between these two sides.

Head-to-Head in the Baraze

The pair have already faced each other twice in this playoff. In Round 2, Dukla Trencin took the first honours at home, edging Presov 2-1 in overtime. Presov responded emphatically in Round 5 on April 7, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Cormier, Bukarts, and Berlev — handing Trencin their first baraze defeat.

Round 10 on April 21 is the third and last scheduled meeting between the sides and could effectively settle the baraze hierarchy. A Presov win would push the gap to six points with only two rounds left, putting them in a commanding position. A Trencin victory cuts the deficit to one and turns the final two rounds into a genuine knife-edge.

Form and Key Players

Presov's transformation since the regular season has been striking. The team that managed just nine regulation wins across 54 league games have been clinical in the baraze, winning four in regulation time. Alexander Avtsin (17G, 19A) is their most dangerous attacker, while Richards Bukarts already has a baraze goal against Trencin to his name.

Dukla Trencin, the stronger club on paper throughout the regular season, have not matched Presov's baraze output. Their one defeat — that 3-1 reverse at Presov on April 7 — exposed vulnerabilities at the back. Forward talent Erik Ullman (4G, 17A in the regular season) will need to be at his best to unlock a Presov side that has found new defensive resilience.

What It Means

This fixture is the baraze's decisive encounter. The winner takes a major step towards Tipsport Liga survival; the loser faces a nervy final two rounds knowing that anything less than a near-perfect finish may not be enough. With Skalica and Humenne far behind, it is Presov and Trencin who will determine their own fates on April 21 — and the atmosphere at Presov's home rink will reflect exactly what is at stake.