Match Summary
Poprad defeated Zilina 3:1. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. Goals were scored by M. Bodak 19′, A. Calof 9′, M. Holenda 14′, A. Naus 18′. League standings: Poprad #5, Zilina #4. Score by period: P1: 1–0, P2: 1–1, P3: 1–0.
Match Context
Quarter-final, Game 6 (best-of-7 series)
Game 6 of the Tipsport Liga quarter-final best-of-seven series — Poprad could clinch advancement after recovering from an 0-2 series deficit
Pre-Match Analysis
Poprad Form
Poprad lost Games 1 and 2 away in Zilina before winning four consecutive games, including a decisive overtime win in Game 4 through Martin Bodak, to take a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6
Zilina Form
Zilina were strong favourites after taking a 2-0 series lead but managed only two goals over the next four games combined, with their offence drying up dramatically across the latter half of the series
Head to Head
Poprad led the series 3-2 after five games; Zilina won Games 1 and 2 before Poprad won four straight; Poprad had won Game 4 in overtime via Bodak's decisive goal
Injuries & Suspensions
- •No confirmed injury information available
Match Report
Poprad arrived at their own rink in front of 4,233 supporters knowing a win would complete a remarkable comeback — and they delivered with a controlled, disciplined display that silenced Zilina's late resistance. The first period was tight and tense, with Poprad absorbing early pressure despite a Too Many Men penalty at the 5th minute. Zilina could not convert the man advantage, and Poprad capitalised on a moment of quality just 13 seconds before the first intermission. Defenseman M. Bodak stepped up to finish off a play created by J. Majdan from behind the goal, with A. Cracknell also assisting, putting Poprad 1-0 ahead at the break. The second period brought Poprad's best hockey of the match. Just 9 minutes in, J. Majdan — by now the most dangerous player on the ice — got behind Zilina's defence and found A. Calof with a perfectly weighted pass. Calof beat Zilina netminder Connor LaCouvée to make it 2-0, with M. Lefebvre also credited with the assist. Poprad were awarded a power play moments later when Zilina took a Delay of Game penalty, though they did not convert. Zilina refused to surrender. At the 14th minute of the second period, M. Holenda reduced the deficit with a shot that Poprad's goalkeeper could not reach — the effort was assisted by R. Dej and J. Balaz — cutting the score to 2-1 and briefly threatening Poprad's composure. The third period was a tense, disciplined defensive display from the home side. Poprad conceded two more penalties — M. Vandas for Holding at the 4th minute and another Too Many Men infringement at the 15th minute — but killed them both to maintain their lead. With Zilina pressing and pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker in the final two minutes, A. Naus sealed the game and the series with an empty-net goal at 18:00, assisted by A. Calof and M. Nemcik, sparking celebrations around the arena. Final score: Poprad 3-1 Zilina. Series: Poprad advance 4-2.
Turning Point
Bodak's late first-period goal at 19:47 of the first period broke the deadlock in the most dramatic fashion, giving Poprad the platform to control the remainder of the match and preventing Zilina from entering the second period on level terms.
Poprad's 3-1 victory completed a stunning turnaround — recovering from 0-2 in the series to eliminate Zilina 4-2 — and secured a semi-final berth where they face HC Slovan Bratislava. It was Poprad's first semi-final appearance since 2021. Zilina's season ended despite a strong regular-season finish as the 4th seed.
Match Events
Key match events between Poprad and Zilina — 4 goals and 4 cards recorded during the match.
Too many men on the ice
A. Cracknell
M. Lefebvre
Delay of game
J. Balaz
Holding
Too many men on the ice
M. Nemcik
Poprad vs Zilina Head to Head Results
Poprad and Zilina have met 84 times — Poprad won 55, Zilina won 29, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2008. Poprad leads the head-to-head with 55 victories from 84 meetings. A combined 489 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.82 per match (279 for the home side, 210 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 73 matches (87%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 82 games (98%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Poprad are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 7–5 in 2012.
55
Poprad
0
Drawn
29
Zilina
Recent Meetings (84)
Standings
Poprad sit #5 and Zilina are #4 in the Extraliga table heading into this match.
Tipsport liga - Regular Season
| # | GP | Won | Lost | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 31 | 11 | 112 | |
| 54 | 26 | 13 | 102 | |
| 54 | 29 | 14 | 101 | |
| 54 | 25 | 17 | 93 | |
| 54 | 20 | 18 | 86 | |
| 54 | 23 | 22 | 83 | |
| 54 | 21 | 23 | 78 | |
| 54 | 18 | 22 | 74 | |
| 54 | 15 | 23 | 72 | |
| 54 | 19 | 24 | 72 | |
| 54 | 15 | 26 | 61 | |
12Presov | 54 | 9 | 38 | 38 |
Match Analysis AI
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:
Player Ratings
J. Majdan (Poprad)
The architect of Poprad's attacking play, Majdan set up both first- and second-period goals with intelligent positioning and precise passing — his assist on Calof's goal, getting behind Zilina's defence and threading the puck through, was the highlight of the match
M. Bodak (Poprad)
The defenseman scored the crucial opening goal with 13 seconds left in the first period, breaking the deadlock at the perfect psychological moment and setting the tone for Poprad's victory
A. Calof (Poprad)
Scored Poprad's second goal to double the advantage and then provided the critical assist on Naus's empty-netter to seal the match — a decisive two-point performance in the biggest game of Poprad's season
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Poprad vs Zilina on 28 March 2026?
Poprad defeated Zilina 3-1 in Game 6 of the Extraliga quarter-final series.
Who scored for Poprad against Zilina in Game 6?
M. Bodak scored at the end of the first period (19th minute, assisted by J. Majdan and A. Cracknell), A. Calof scored in the second period (9th minute, assisted by J. Majdan and M. Lefebvre), and A. Naus added an empty-net goal in the third period (18th minute, assisted by A. Calof and M. Nemcik).
Who scored for Zilina against Poprad in Game 6?
M. Holenda scored Zilina's only goal in the second period (14th minute), assisted by R. Dej and J. Balaz.
Did Poprad advance to the semi-finals?
Yes. Poprad won the series 4-2, completing a remarkable comeback from 0-2 down, and advanced to the semi-finals where they face HC Slovan Bratislava.
What was the series score before Game 6?
Poprad led the series 3-2 after winning four consecutive games following an 0-2 start. Game 6 was played on Poprad's home ice.
How many fans attended the Poprad vs Zilina Game 6?
4,233 spectators attended Game 6 at Poprad's home arena.
API data: 18 Apr 2026