Match Summary
Nitra defeated Poprad 5:4. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. Goals were scored by M. Bodak 6′, P. Bjaloncik 13′, S. Cederle 17′, R. Jackson 7′, T. Hrnka 11′, J. Passolt 18′, T. Torok 5′, S. Bucek 8′, A. Cracknell 13′. League standings: Poprad #5, Nitra #1. Score by period: P1: 2–1, P2: 0–3, P3: 2–1.
Match Context
Semi-final, Game 4 (best-of-7 series)
Game 4 of the Tipsport Liga semi-final playoff series — a Nitra win would give them a match point; a Poprad win would level the series at 2-2
Pre-Match Analysis
Poprad Form
Poprad had punched well above their weight in the series, winning Game 1 in overtime in Nitra before splitting Games 2 and 3 on home ice. Their physical, counter-attacking style had consistently threatened the regular-season champions. Venue: Zimny stadion mesta Poprad (capacity ~4,200)
Nitra Form
Nitra entered as the dominant regular-season side and were described as 'suveran zakladnej casti extraligy' (regular-season dominant team). Despite being pushed hard, they had taken a 2-1 series advantage after Game 3 and were in form coming into Game 4.
Head to Head
Series tied 1-2 in favour of Nitra heading into Game 4. Poprad had won Game 1 in overtime in Nitra; Nitra took Games 2 and 3.
Injuries & Suspensions
- •Mezei (Nitra) — received a 5-minute major plus game misconduct during the match
Match Report
Poprad set the tone with an electric opening, striking twice in the first 14 minutes to stun the visitors and take a 2-1 period lead. Bodak opened the scoring in the 7th minute, set up by Naus and Sotek, before Bjaloncik doubled the lead in the 14th with assists from Calof and Sproul. Nitra pulled one back before the first intermission through Cederle in the 17th minute — Graham and Bucek combining on the play — to ensure the visitors went into the first break trailing by just one. The second period belonged entirely to Nitra. Goals from Jackson (28th, assisted by Passolt and Vitalos), Hrnka (32nd, assisted by Chrenko and Turansky), and Passolt (39th, from Jackson) gave Nitra a 4-2 lead by the end of the middle frame, a remarkable turnaround after being 2-1 down at the first break. Poprad refused to quit in the third period. Torok pulled one back at 46:00 (Lefebvre and Bodak assisting) and Cracknell made it 4-4 in the 54th minute to send the 4,233 fans inside the Zimny stadion into a frenzy and set up a tense finale. But it was Nitra who found the winner when Bucek scored in the 49th minute — before Poprad's late equaliser — to ultimately prove the decisive strike, with Graham and Chrenko providing the assists. The goal withstood Poprad's late push and sent Nitra through with a 5-4 win despite Poprad scoring twice in the third to make it 4-4 at the 54-minute mark. Nitra's Passolt and Buček were the key difference-makers, combining for multiple points as Nitra scored four unanswered goals in the middle period to overturn the early deficit.
Turning Point
Hrnka's goal at 32:00 of the second period to make it 3-2 in favour of Nitra was the decisive swing moment. Coming after Jackson had already levelled at 2-2, Hrnka's strike put Nitra ahead for the first time and sparked Passolt's third-period insurance goal. Poprad, who had been in control for the opening 14 minutes, never regained the lead.
Nitra's 5-4 victory puts them 3-1 up in the series and gives them a match point, with Game 5 to be played at home in Nitra. Poprad must win three consecutive games to reach the final — a near-impossible task, though their performance in Game 4 showed they retain the quality to test the favourites. For Nitra, the second-period blitz underlined why they are considered the strongest team in the Extraliga this season.
Match Events
Key match events between Poprad and Nitra — 9 goals and 4 cards recorded during the match.
Hooking
A. Sotek
R. Sproul
S. Bucek
M. Vitalos
A. Turansky
Hooking
M. Stacha
Illegal check to the head
M. Bodak
Holding
T. Chrenko
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 700 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.69 per match (316 for the home side, 384 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 Survive Poprad Fightback to Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead
HK Nitra weathered a spirited Poprad comeback to claim a dramatic 5-4 victory in Game 4 of their Extraliga semi-final series on 8 April 2026, putting themselves one win from the final with a 3-1 series advantage.
Poprad Stun Nitra With Blistering Start
A partisan crowd of 4,233 inside the Zimny stadion in Poprad were given exactly what they wanted when the home side flew out of the blocks. Bodak opened the scoring in the 7th minute, capitalising on quick work from Naus and Sotek to put Poprad ahead. The lead was doubled just seven minutes later when Bjaloncik finished off a move crafted by Calof and Sproul to make it 2-0, with the rink in full voice as Nitra's title aspirations seemed momentarily shaken.
The regular-season champions struck back before the period was out, however. Cederle pulled one back in the 17th minute — Graham and Bucek combining on the assist — to send the teams into the first intermission with Poprad holding a 2-1 advantage. The stage was set for a dramatic middle period.
Nitra's Second-Period Blitz Turns the Match
The second period was the making of Nitra. Three goals in 11 minutes completely overturned the deficit and sent the visitors into the final frame with a two-goal cushion. Jackson levelled at 28:00, converting a move involving Passolt and Vitalos, before Hrnka put Nitra ahead for the first time at 32:00 — Chrenko and Turansky combining for the assists. Passolt then all but sealed the period with Nitra's fourth goal at 39:00, set up by Jackson, to make it 4-2 heading into the third.
It was a stunning reversal. The same Nitra who had trailed 0-2 twenty-five minutes earlier now had a two-goal advantage, and Poprad needed another comeback of their own.
Poprad Roar Back — But Bucek's Winner Holds
Poprad gave everything in the third period and nearly forced overtime. Torok pulled one back in the 46th minute, converting a move from Lefebvre and Bodak, then Cracknell made it 4-4 at 54:00 to send the arena into uproar. But Nitra had already put daylight between themselves at 49:00 — Bucek burying his goal off assists from Graham and Chrenko to restore the lead. Despite Poprad's late equaliser attempt, the scoreline remained 5-4 in favour of the visitors.
Nitra also had to play part of the match with reduced options after Mezei received a 5-minute major plus game misconduct. The away side's resilience in managing the disruption underlined their composure and depth.
What It Means
Nitra hold a 3-1 series lead and will have their first opportunity to clinch a place in the Extraliga final when the series moves to their home ice for Game 5. Poprad's performance — particularly their electric first period and determined third-period recovery — showed they are a match for the champions, but the arithmetic is now firmly against them. Three consecutive wins are required to keep their season alive.
Player Ratings
Josh Passolt (HK Nitra)
One goal and one assist in the match — scored in the 39th minute to give Nitra a two-goal cushion before the third period and set up Jackson's goal. Consistently the most dangerous Nitra forward in the series.
Simon Bucek (HK Nitra)
Scored the 49th-minute goal that proved the winner in a 5-4 match, assisted by Graham and Chrenko. Also contributed an assist on Cederle's first-period goal. The defining player in Nitra's second-period dominance.
Bodak (HK Poprad)
Opened the scoring in the 7th minute and added a second assist on Torok's third-period goal. The Poprad captain was one of the few bright points on a day when his team ultimately fell short.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Poprad vs Nitra on April 8, 2026?
HK Nitra defeated HK Poprad 5-4 in Game 4 of their Extraliga semi-final series.
Who scored for Nitra against Poprad in Game 4?
Cederle (17th minute), Jackson (28th), Hrnka (32nd), Passolt (39th), and Bucek (49th) scored for Nitra.
Who scored for Poprad against Nitra in Game 4?
Bodak (7th minute), Bjaloncik (14th), Torok (46th), and Cracknell (54th) scored for Poprad.
What is the series score after Game 4?
Nitra lead the best-of-7 semi-final series 3-1 and hold a match point ahead of Game 5 on home ice.
Did Poprad come back in Game 4?
Yes — Poprad led 2-1 after the first period and staged a third-period comeback from 2-4 down to 4-4, but Nitra's earlier goal from Bucek in the 49th minute proved the decisive strike in a 5-4 Nitra win.
Where was Game 4 of the Poprad vs Nitra Extraliga semi-final played?
Game 4 was played at the Zimny stadion mesta Poprad, with an attendance of 4,233.
API data: 18 Apr 2026