Club Friendly· Season 2026
Adam Dvořák scored a hat-trick as HK Poprad beat GKS Katowice 6-4 in a seven-goal third period in their first pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
First period: Dvořák opened the scoring at 14:13, finding a gap past Katowice goaltender Michał Kieler, who was caught sealing the post. Emil Forslund responded just 105 seconds later, showing composure in heavy traffic to tap home the equaliser at 16:18. The period ended 1-1.
Second period: Katowice struck first when Bartosz Fraszko beat the Poprad defence on a clean breakaway, finishing with a backhand deke at 23:39. The Polish side had chances to extend the lead but lacked finishing touch. Dvořák struck again at 38:37, burying his second of the night to level the score at 2-2 heading into the second intermission.
Third period — the avalanche: Brock Bremer put Katowice ahead for the second time at 41:37, converting a rebound to make it 3-2. The visitors would not score again for nearly 18 minutes — and by then the game had slipped away. Dvořák completed his hat-trick at 44:37 on a 5-on-3 powerplay, redirecting a point shot through traffic. Just 90 seconds later, Peter Bjalončík finished a 2-on-1 rush to give Poprad their first lead of the night. Alex Sotek made it 5-3 at 49:37, and Juraj Majdan redirected a point shot past Kieler at 54:37 for 6-3. Joona Monto scored a consolation powerplay goal for Katowice at 58:37.
The Turning Point
Dvořák's hat-trick goal at 44:37, scored while Katowice were serving a double minor (effectively a 5-on-3 powerplay for Poprad), was the definitive moment. Poprad were trailing 2-3 and generating little through even strength when they caught a break with back-to-back Katowice penalties. Dvořák's finish from the slot not only tied the game but visibly deflated the visitors, who then conceded three more goals in just over seven minutes.
Key Performers
Adam Dvořák (Poprad) — Player of the match. Three goals (14:37, 38:37, 44:37), including the critical 5-on-3 equaliser that swung momentum. His third goal completed a natural hat-trick across 30 minutes of game time.
Bartosz Fraszko (Katowice) — Scored the best individual goal of the night with a breakaway backhand finish and was a constant threat on the rush. Katowice's most dangerous forward.
Peter Bjalončík (Poprad) — Scored the go-ahead goal at 46:37 on a 2-on-1 rush, the moment Poprad first seized control. His speed and decision-making in transition were decisive.
Alex Sotek (Poprad) — One goal and one primary assist on Bjalončík's winner. Effective on the cycle and in tight spaces.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
While official shot and xG data are not available for this pre-season friendly, the goal timeline tells the story. Katowice held the lead for roughly 24 minutes across the second and third periods, but their penalty trouble in the final frame proved catastrophic. Poprad scored four goals in 10 minutes (44:37–54:37), three assisted directly or indirectly from powerplay situations. The hosts' ability to score on special teams — and Katowice's inability to stay out of the box — decided the match.
The 6-4 scoreline also means both teams have met three times now (all in friendlies across 2024–2026), with Poprad winning all three and scoring 16 total goals to Katowice's 4.
What It Means
Poprad begin their pre-season campaign with a confidence-building result under head coach Ladislav Čihák. The Slovak side have six more friendlies scheduled before the season, including the return leg in Katowice on 20 August and the traditional Tatranský pohár (Tatra Cup) tournament at home from 28–30 August.
For Katowice, this was their third pre-season friendly after two previous matches against Unia Oświęcim (a 6-4 loss and a win). The Polish side, preparing for the 2026/27 TAURON Hokej Liga season, will have an immediate chance to balance the ledger when they host Poprad on Thursday.
Verdict
A chaotic pre-season friendly that delivered exactly what you'd expect from two teams in building mode: end-to-end action, defensive lapses, special-teams swings, and a hat-trick. Dvořák's timing — especially the 5-on-3 equaliser — was the difference between a competitive 2-3 or 3-3 game and the one-sided third period that followed. Poprad's powerplay execution in the final frame will be the biggest takeaway for Čihák; for Katowice coach Jacek Płachta, discipline in defensive-zone situations needs immediate attention ahead of Thursday's rematch.
Match Events
Poprad and Katowice have met 3 times — Poprad won 3, Katowice won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. Poprad leads the head-to-head with 3 victories from 3 meetings. A combined 19 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 6.33 per match (15 for the home side, 4 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (33%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 3 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Poprad are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 4–5 in 2026.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 20 Aug 2026