Match Summary
Michalovce defeated Nitra 4:2. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. Goals were scored by T. Hrnka 2′, M. Bartanus 3′, S. Bucek 2′, J. Virtanen 4′, J. Marcinko 5′, J. Virtanen 19′. League standings: Michalovce #10, Nitra #1. Score by period: P1: 1–1, P2: 0–1, P3: 3–0.
Match Context
2025/26 Tipsport Extraliga Quarterfinals, Game 6 of 7
Quarterfinal playoff series Game 6, best-of-seven; Nitra entered with 3-2 series lead and match point
Pre-Match Analysis
Michalovce Form
Michalovce trailed the series 2-3, having surrendered the series lead after winning Games 1 and 3
Nitra Form
Nitra won the regular season and held a 3-2 series advantage with two consecutive wins in Games 4 and 5
Head to Head
Nitra won Games 1 and 4-5; Michalovce won Games 2-3; series level at 3-3 after this match
Injuries & Suspensions
- •Glosár (Michalovce) - injured in game, replaced in 16th minute by Durný
Match Report
Nitra struck first in the 3rd minute through Hrnka (assisted by Bajtek), but Michalovce equalised just sixty seconds later when Bartánus converted at 4:00, assisted by Welsh and Šmida. The first period ended level at 1-1. Nitra regained the lead in the 23rd minute of the second period with a Buček power-play goal (Kostenko, Chrenko), giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage heading into the final frame. With Michalovce's starting goaltender Glosár replaced by Durný in the 16th minute, Nitra seemed poised to close out the series. Then the third period produced a dramatic reversal. Virtanen equalised in the 45th minute, and just 66 seconds later Marcinko (Martel, Welsh) gave Michalovce the lead for the first time since the opening frame. Virtanen sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the 60th minute, completing a 3-0 third period.
Turning Point
The 66-second double strike by Virtanen (45') and Marcinko (46') in the third period turned a 1-2 deficit into a 3-2 lead and broke Nitra's resistance
The result levelled the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and forced a decisive Game 7 in Nitra on March 31. Michalovce, a lower-ranked team, became only the second side in Extraliga history to force a seventh game against the regular-season champions.
Match Events
Key match events between Michalovce and Nitra — 6 goals and 15 cards recorded during the match.
S. Smida
Illegal check to the head
Roughing
Roughing
High sticking
Hooking
Hooking
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Tripping
T. Chrenko
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Hooking
C. Welsh
Interference
Too many men on the ice
Empty net
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Hooking
Michalovce vs Nitra Head to Head Results
Michalovce and Nitra have met 42 times — Michalovce won 14, Nitra won 28, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2019. Nitra leads the head-to-head with 28 victories from 42 meetings. A combined 275 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 6.55 per match (120 for the home side, 155 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 40 matches (95%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 42 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Nitra are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–7 in 2024.
14
Michalovce
0
Drawn
28
Nitra
Recent Meetings (42)
Standings
Michalovce sit #10 and Nitra are #1 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
Michalovce Stun Nitra with 66-Second Third-Period Blitz to Level Playoff Series at 3-3
HK Dukla Michalovce produced one of the playoff's most remarkable comebacks to defeat HK Nitra 4-2 at home on March 29, 2026, erasing a second-period deficit with a breathtaking three-goal third period that included two goals in 66 seconds and forced a decisive Game 7 in their Tipsport Extraliga quarterfinal series.
A Balanced Opening That Belied the Tension
With Nitra holding a 3-2 series lead and match point, the atmosphere at the Michalovce arena was frantic from the opening puck drop. The visitors drew first blood in the 3rd minute when Hrnka converted with an assist from Bajtek, silencing the home crowd. Michalovce refused to buckle, and just one minute later Bartánus responded to restore parity — finishing off a crisp passing sequence from Welsh and Šmida to make it 1-1. The period ended level, but the game was already showing the tension of an elimination contest.
Nitra Take Control in the Second
The second period belonged to Nitra. Their power-play unit proved decisive as Buček finished a move involving Kostenko and Chrenko in the 23rd minute, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage. With Michalovce's goaltender Glosár forced off with an injury in the 16th minute and backup Durný taking his place, Nitra appeared to be in complete control. The series win seemed within reach.
The 66-Second Swing That Changed Everything
The third period began with Michalovce needing to score at least twice to survive — and they delivered in extraordinary fashion. Jacob Virtanen equalised in the 45th minute to make it 2-2, and before Nitra could reorganise, Ján Marcinko struck just 66 seconds later with assists from Martel and Welsh. In little more than a minute, the scoreboard had flipped from 1-2 to 3-2 in Michalovce's favour.
Nitra threw everything forward seeking an equaliser, but Michalovce's defence held firm. Virtanen added an empty-net goal in the 60th minute to complete the 4-2 scoreline and seal one of the Extraliga playoff's most dramatic results.
What It Means
The victory forced a Game 7 showdown in Nitra on March 31, making this series the most dramatic in the 2025/26 Extraliga playoff bracket. Michalovce — considered the underdogs as a lower-ranked side against the regular-season champions — showed remarkable character to stay alive. For Nitra, who wasted two match points (they also held a 3-2 lead), the questions would be about composure and capitalising on penalty-killing situations. The final verdict of the Extraliga quarterfinal came down to one deciding game.
Player Ratings
Jacob Virtanen (HK Dukla Michalovce)
Scored twice — the equaliser to make it 2-2 and an empty-net goal to seal the win — and was the catalyst for Michalovce's decisive third-period charge
Ján Marcinko (HK Dukla Michalovce)
Scored the decisive go-ahead goal at 46:00 just 66 seconds after Virtanen's equaliser, completing the stunning turnaround
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Michalovce vs Nitra on March 29, 2026?
Michalovce won 4-2 against Nitra in Game 6 of their Tipsport Extraliga quarterfinal playoff series.
Who scored for Michalovce against Nitra?
Bartánus (4th minute), Virtanen (45th minute), Marcinko (46th minute), and Virtanen again with an empty-net goal in the 60th minute.
Who scored for Nitra against Michalovce?
Hrnka scored in the 3rd minute and Buček added a power-play goal in the 23rd minute.
What was the period-by-period score?
First period: 1-1. Second period: 0-1 (Nitra leading 2-1 after two periods). Third period: 3-0 to Michalovce. Final: 4-2.
Did Michalovce come from behind to win?
Yes. Michalovce trailed 1-2 heading into the third period and scored three unanswered goals — including two in 66 seconds — to win 4-2.
What is the series score after Game 6?
The series is level at 3-3. A decisive Game 7 was played on March 31 in Nitra.
API data: 18 Apr 2026