5 April 2026 at 14:00
Match Summary
Kosice defeated Slovan Bratislava 3:2 after ot. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. Goals were scored by V. Zelenak 9′, M. Liscinsky 3′, R. Dmowski 13′, S. Petras 13′, S. Petras 3′. League standings: Slovan Bratislava #2, Kosice #3. Score by period: P1: 1–0, P2: 1–1, P3: 0–1, OT: 0–1.
Match Context
Tipsport liga 2025/26 Play-off — Semi-Final, Game 1
Opening game of the Tipsport liga play-off semi-final series (best-of-7) between the top two clubs in Slovakia
Pre-Match Analysis
Slovan Bratislava Form
Slovan Bratislava had a strong regular season, finishing second overall with 98 points and had not lost to Košice at home since 2023
Kosice Form
HC Košice finished the regular season third with 90 points and carried momentum from their quarter-final series win
Head to Head
A fierce Slovak hockey rivalry — Košice had not beaten Slovan on Bratislava ice since 2023 entering this series
Injuries & Suspensions
- •No confirmed injury absences reported ahead of Game 1
Match Report
In front of 6,360 passionate fans at the Zimný štadión Ondreja Nepelu, Slovan Bratislava struck first. Vojtech Zeleňák opened the scoring in the 10th minute, finishing a crisp passing play from Radovan Varga and Tomáš Marcinko to give the hosts a 1-0 lead after the first period. Košice levelled early in the second period when Marek Liščinský converted in the 24th minute — Marek Bučko and Oleg Plokhotnik combining to set him free. Slovan regained the lead moments later: Radosław Dmowski netted on the 34th minute, assisted by Luca Pecararo and Peter Bačik, making it 2-1. The third period brought Košice roaring back. In the 54th minute, Šimon Petráš equalised at 2-2, fed by Sebastian Jellúš and Tomáš Mikúš in a brilliant combination that silenced the home crowd. With no further scoring in regulation, the match went to overtime. In the 64th minute, Petráš completed his brace — again assisted by Mikúš — pouncing on a Slovan defensive lapse to tuck home the winner and send Košice into a 1-0 series lead.
Turning Point
Šimon Petráš's 54th-minute equaliser changed everything. Slovan had controlled much of the second period with a one-goal cushion, but that goal shifted momentum entirely to Košice and set up their overtime victory.
Košice have drawn first blood in a series between the two biggest Slovak clubs, grabbing an away win that Slovan had not conceded at home in over two years. The result puts serious pressure on Bratislava ahead of Game 2.
Match Events
Key match events between Slovan Bratislava and Kosice — 5 goals and 1 cards recorded during the match.
T. Marcinko
O. Plokhotnik
P. Bacik
Tripping
T. Mikus
Slovan Bratislava vs Kosice Head to Head Results
Slovan Bratislava and Kosice have met 82 times — Slovan Bratislava won 42, Kosice won 40, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2008. Slovan Bratislava leads the head-to-head with 42 victories from 82 meetings. A combined 431 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.26 per match (215 for the home side, 216 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 70 matches (85%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 75 games (91%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–5 in 2024.
42
Slovan Bratislava
0
Drawn
40
Kosice
Recent Meetings (82)
Standings
Slovan Bratislava sit #2 and Kosice are #3 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
Petráš Heroics Give Košice Stunning Overtime Win at Slovan Bratislava — Game 1
HC Košice stunned the Zimný štadión Ondreja Nepelu crowd on April 5, 2026, defeating HC Slovan Bratislava 3-2 in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in their Tipsport liga semi-final series. Šimon Petráš was the hero, scoring twice in the final 16 minutes — including a 64th-minute overtime winner — to hand Bratislava a painful home defeat they had not suffered against Košice in more than two years.
First Period: Slovan Seize the Advantage
Slovan carried all the early energy before 6,360 supporters. On the 10th minute, Vojtech Zeleňák capitalised on a slick combination from Radovan Varga and Tomáš Marcinko, slotting home to put the hosts in front. Košice were contained and struggled to create clear chances, allowing Bratislava to carry a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Second Period: Back and Forth Drama
Košice came out sharper in the second stanza. Marek Bučko and Oleg Plokhotnik combined to release Marek Liščinský in the 24th minute, and his precise finish levelled the contest at 1-1. Slovan did not panic. Just ten minutes later, Radosław Dmowski restored the lead — converting a fine team move built by Luca Pecararo and Peter Bačik to make it 2-1. After 40 minutes the home side looked in control.
Third Period: Petráš Turns the Tide
The drama shifted irreversibly in the third period. A brilliant combination involving Sebastian Jellúš and Tomáš Mikúš freed Šimon Petráš in the 54th minute, and the Košice forward showed cool composure to level the match at 2-2. The noise that had rolled around the arena in support of Slovan fell away. Regulation expired with the score tied, setting up a sudden-death overtime.
Overtime: Petráš Delivers the Knockout Blow
The extra period lasted only three and a half minutes. In the 64th minute, Tomáš Mikúš again provided the key pass and Šimon Petráš did not miss — burying his second goal of the night to complete an emphatic comeback and send Košice's travelling support into celebration.
What It Means
Košice's victory is a significant psychological blow to Slovan Bratislava. The hosts had not lost to their great rivals on home ice since 2023, and had finished the regular season eight points clear of Košice in the standings. Surrendering a lead twice — and then losing in overtime — raises questions ahead of Game 2, also scheduled in Bratislava. For Košice, an away win in Game 1 of a best-of-7 is exactly the platform their season aspirations required.
Player Ratings
Šimon Petráš (HC Košice)
Scored both Košice goals including the crucial 54th-minute equaliser and the overtime winner assisted by Mikúš. His composure in the third period and overtime was decisive.
Tomáš Mikúš (HC Košice)
Provided the assist on both Petráš goals, orchestrating Košice's comeback in the final stages.
Vojtech Zeleňák (HC Slovan Bratislava)
Opened the scoring in the 10th minute and was dangerous throughout, but Slovan could not hold their lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Slovan Bratislava vs HC Košice Game 1?
HC Košice won 3-2 after overtime. Slovan Bratislava led 2-1 heading into the third period but Košice equalised and then won in overtime.
Who scored for HC Košice against Slovan Bratislava?
Marek Liščinský scored in the 24th minute and Šimon Petráš scored twice — in the 54th minute and then the overtime winner in the 64th minute.
Who scored for Slovan Bratislava?
Vojtech Zeleňák scored in the 10th minute (assisted by Varga and Marcinko) and Radosław Dmowski scored in the 34th minute (assisted by Pecararo and Bačik).
Did Slovan Bratislava come from behind in this match?
No — Slovan actually led twice (1-0 and 2-1) but could not hold either lead. Košice came from behind to level at 2-2 and then won in overtime.
What is the series score after Game 1?
HC Košice lead the best-of-7 Tipsport liga semi-final series 1-0 after their overtime victory in Bratislava.
API data: 18 Apr 2026