Tychy vs AZ Havirov

A goalless first period gave little indication of the burst to come. Both sides felt each other out in what was GKS Tychy's first pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign.

The dam broke in the second period. At 30:30, Latvian forward Frenks Razgals opened the scoring on the power play, converting from David Bednář and Michal Stříteský's setup — the only man-advantage goal of the night. Just over three minutes later, at 33:57, Marek Ćmiel doubled the lead with help from Roman Klimíček and Lukáš Kucsera, sending the visitors into the second intermission with a 2–0 cushion.

Tychy responded in the third period. At 56:53, Dominik Paś pulled one back for the home side, assisted by Łukasz Jeziorski, giving the Polish champions a lifeline. With under a minute to play, Tychy coach Pekka Tirkkonen pulled goaltender Maciej Chabior for an extra attacker, but Lukáš Kucsera capitalised on the empty net at 58:46 to restore Havirov's two-goal lead and seal the result.

Razgals' power-play goal at 30:30 was the match's defining moment. Tychy had weathered the first period and early second without conceding, but a penalty gave Havirov the window they needed. Once the lead was established, Havirov could sit deeper, protect their structure and hit on the counter — a dynamic Tychy never quite reversed despite Paś's third-period strike.

• Frenks Razgals (AZ Havirov): Opened the scoring on the power play and changed the game's complexion. His finish at 30:30 was the match's decisive moment.
• Lukáš Kucsera (AZ Havirov): Assisted Ćmiel's goal in the second period and closed the match with an empty-net dagger at 58:46. Two points on the night.
• Dominik Paś (GKS Tychy): The sole Tychy goalscorer, he gave his side hope in the 57th minute and later converted in the post-game penalty shootout — which Tychy would go on to win, per the Polish club's match report.
• Jakub Šimonů (AZ Havirov, goalkeeper): Credited by the Havirov club report with several key saves early, particularly during Tychy's dangerous spells in the opening period.

The penalty count (4–2 against Tychy) and the single power-play goal against them tell the story — undisciplined moments cost the Polish side a foothold in a game that was otherwise tight at even strength. Havirov's shooting efficiency proved decisive: they scored on three of their limited looks while Tychy managed just one from a heavier volume of attempts. A goalless first period gave way to three goals in the second (all Havirov) and two in the third, reflecting a game that opened up as legs tired in pre-season conditions.

This was GKS Tychy's first pre-season test of the 2026/27 campaign, and the result offered coach Pekka Tirkkonen clear areas to address — particularly discipline under pressure and defensive-zone puck management — before the Polska Hokej Liga season begins. AZ Havirov, preparing for the 2026/27 Maxa liga season in the Czech second tier, will take significant confidence from beating a Polish champion on the road. Both sides continue their pre-season schedule with further friendlies through late August.

AZ Havirov arrived, executed their game plan in the middle frame, and never looked back. The 3–1 scoreline reflected a game where Havirov's discipline and finishing made the difference — on a night when both sides were clearly still building match fitness. The post-game shootout win for Tychy offered minor consolation for the home crowd.