Match Summary
Nitra defeated Poprad 3:2 after so. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. League standings: Poprad #5, Nitra #1. Score by period: P1: 0–1, P2: 1–1, P3: 1–0, OT: 0–0.
Match Context
Semifinal, Game 3
Slovak Extraliga playoff semifinal — best-of-seven series, Game 3
Pre-Match Analysis
Poprad Form
Poprad won Game 1 before losing Game 2 to Nitra in a thriller; Michael Vandas returned to the lineup
Nitra Form
Nitra arrived full of confidence after levelling the series in Game 2 with a last-gasp empty-net goal; Turanský and Krištof in strong form
Head to Head
The clubs met seven times during the 2025-26 season; Nitra won four of those meetings entering Game 3
Injuries & Suspensions
- •Tyler Parks (Poprad) — back-up role, Filip Belányi started in goal
Match Report
Nitra struck first when Artur Turanský converted in the 9th minute, capitalising on a slick passing combination from Chrenko and Stacha to give the visitors the early lead. Poprad pressed but could not find an equaliser until the 29th minute, when Aurel Nauš finished off a play set up by Martin Bodák and McLeod to make it 1-1. The joy was short-lived: just 67 seconds later, Michal Krištof restored Nitra's advantage with a strike assisted by Buček and Paulovič, sending the game into the second interval with Nitra leading 2-1. Poprad refused to capitulate and Martin Bodák — who had already assisted the equaliser — delivered a leveller in the 44th minute with help from Török, forcing extra time at 2-2. Overtime produced no goals across five minutes, setting up a shootout. Adam Cracknell scored for Poprad but Josh Passolt proved unstoppable for Nitra, converting twice with identical deking attempts on goaltender Belányi to clinch a 3-2 victory and give Nitra a 2-1 series lead.
Turning Point
Michal Krištof's goal just 67 seconds after Poprad's equaliser — mid-way through the second period — swung the game's momentum decisively back to Nitra before Bodák rescued Poprad once more.
The result leaves Nitra one win ahead in the series, needing two more victories to reach the Extraliga final, while Poprad must now win three of the remaining four games to advance.
Poprad vs Nitra Head to Head Results
Poprad and Nitra have met 123 times — Poprad won 44, Nitra won 79, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2008. Nitra leads the head-to-head with 79 victories from 123 meetings. A combined 704 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.72 per match (318 for the home side, 386 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 108 matches (88%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 116 games (94%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Nitra are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 7–5 in 2020.
44
Poprad
0
Drawn
79
Nitra
Recent Meetings (123)
Standings
Poprad sit #5 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
Nitra Edge Poprad in Shootout to Take 2-1 Series Lead
HK Nitra took the upper hand in their Slovak Extraliga semifinal against HK Poprad on 7 April 2026, winning a thrilling Game 3 by 3-2 after penalties — the second shootout of Nitra's playoff run this season. Josh Passolt's brace in the decisive round sent 4,233 fans inside the Poprad arena home disappointed, and leaves Nitra firmly in the driving seat.
First Period: Nitra Strike Early
Nitra came out with purpose and needed just nine minutes to open the scoring. A precise combination from Chrenko and Stacha created the space for Artur Turanský, who guided the puck past Filip Belányi to give the visitors a 0-1 lead. Poprad struggled to create chances of their own and headed into the first break trailing.
Second Period: Twice Level, Twice Behind
The 29th minute brought Poprad's equaliser when Aurel Nauš finished off a slick move built by Martin Bodák and McLeod — 1-1, and the home crowd found their voice. The celebrations were cut abruptly short: just 67 seconds later Michal Krištof, set up by Buček and Paulovič, restored the Nitra lead. That quick-fire double swing in momentum underlined Nitra's clinical quality, and the teams went into the final period with Nitra leading 2-1.
Third Period: Bodák Equalises Again
Poprad showed real character. Martin Bodák — who had already assisted Nauš's equaliser — proved his class once more, slapping in a Török pass in the 44th minute to level at 2-2. Neither side could find a winner through the remaining minutes; referees Novák and Výleta kept the card count low, with only three minor penalties across the entire game.
Overtime and Shootout: Passolt the Hero
Five minutes of overtime produced no goals despite both teams threatening. The match went to a shootout for the second time in Nitra's 2025-26 playoffs. Adam Cracknell stepped up first for Poprad and converted. But Josh Passolt answered immediately for Nitra. When Cracknell failed to score a second time, Passolt stepped forward again and beat Belányi with an identical deke — the same move, the same result, and the tie was Nitra's.
What It Means
Nitra lead the best-of-seven semifinal 2-1 and are now favourites to reach the Extraliga final. Poprad, who have shown they can score and compete on level terms in regulation, must regroup quickly: Game 4 was played the following evening in Poprad, and the home crowd will need to provide maximum support. With Bodák in this kind of form and Belányi solid in goal, Poprad are far from finished — but the margin for error is narrowing.
Player Ratings
Josh Passolt (Nitra)
Scored twice in the shootout with the same deking move, proving ice-cold under pressure to win the decisive round for Nitra.
Martin Bodák (Poprad)
Contributed an assist on Poprad's first goal and scored the 2-2 equaliser in the third period, single-handedly keeping Poprad in the match.
Michal Krištof (Nitra)
Scored the go-ahead goal immediately after Poprad equalised, giving Nitra the lead for the third time and applying crucial psychological pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Poprad vs Nitra on April 7 2026?
The final score was Poprad 2-3 Nitra after a shootout. The game was level 2-2 after regulation and scoreless through overtime.
Who scored in the Poprad vs Nitra semifinal Game 3?
Artur Turanský (9') and Michal Krištof (30') scored for Nitra in regulation. Aurel Nauš (29') and Martin Bodák (44') scored for Poprad. Josh Passolt scored twice in the shootout to seal Nitra's win.
Who won the Poprad vs Nitra shootout on 7 April 2026?
Nitra won the shootout. Josh Passolt scored twice for Nitra while Adam Cracknell scored once for Poprad. Passolt's second shootout goal in sudden death won the tie.
What is the Poprad vs Nitra series score after Game 3?
Nitra lead the best-of-seven semifinal series 2-1 after the Game 3 win. Game 4 was scheduled for 8 April 2026 in Poprad.
Who is Josh Passolt?
Josh Passolt is a Canadian-Slovak forward playing for HK Nitra in the Slovak Extraliga who delivered the match-winning shootout performance in Game 3 of the semifinal.
API data: 18 Apr 2026