Katowice vs Poprad

Bodák's equaliser at 58:58 with Belányi on the bench was the defining moment. Katowice were 62 seconds from levelling the series at one win apiece. Poprad's willingness to pull the goalkeeper — and Bodák's composure to find the net from the point — snatched momentum away from the hosts and set up Majdan's winner.

• Adam Dvořák (Poprad): Two goals in a 2:53 span (26:03, 28:56) turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. The new signing continued the explosive form he showed in the first friendly (3+1). Player of the match.
• Patrik Bodák (Poprad): The game-tying goal at 58:58 with the empty net — a clutch play under pressure that kept Poprad alive.
• Oliver Majdan (Poprad): Scored the OT winner at 64:09, his second goal in as many games against Katowice (he also scored in the 6-4 win on 18 August).
• Emil Ruokonen (Katowice): Power-play goal at 39:58 to make it 3-3, one of two PP goals for the hosts on the night.
• Grzegorz Pasiut (Katowice): Veteran forward scored the go-ahead goal at 54:20 (PP) that looked like it would be the winner until the late drama.

The three-period totals show a game of escalating chaos: a scoreless first, six goals in a wild second period, then two late tallies in the third before overtime. Katowice's two power-play goals (Ruokonen, Pasiut) highlight a capable man-advantage unit that Poprad will want to clean up before the Tipos extraliga season starts. Poprad's willingness to pull the goalkeeper late — and the fact it worked — speaks to Ladislav Čihák's aggressive pre-season approach. Shots and possession data were not published, but the 1-3-0 stretch Poprad endured after leading 3-1 suggests Katowice's pushback was significant before Bodák's late strike.

Poprad completed a two-game pre-season sweep of Katowice (6-4 on 18 August, 5-4 OT today), a strong early statement for a side preparing for the 2026/27 Tipos extraliga season starting 15 September. For Katowice, the Polish vice-champions and TAURON Hokej Liga contenders under coach Jacek Płachta, the two losses offer clear areas to address — particularly protecting one-goal leads late in games.

Katowice's next pre-season fixture is not yet confirmed. Poprad continue their build-up ahead of the new Slovak extraliga campaign.

A pre-season friendly that had no shortage of drama: six goals in the second period, a late empty-net equaliser, and an OT winner. Poprad's composure under pressure — pulling the goalkeeper with 62 seconds left and converting — was the difference. Adam Dvořák (two goals) is looking like a significant addition for the coming season.