Story Summary
HKM Zvolen beat hosts HC Banská Bystrica 5-3 in a Tipsport liga meeting. Juraj Valach opened the scoring after around 90 seconds and added a second goal in the 15th minute. Bystrica replied through Vargo, but Kalmikov restored Zvolen’s two-goal cushion with a power-play finish before the interval. Tkáč made it 4-1 in the middle period. In the third, Nauš deflected a Juraj Valach shot into the net for Zvolen’s fifth goal, while Bystrica reduced the deficit through Marek Valach and Kabáč; the hosts could not complete the comeback. Banská Bystrica coach Vlastimil Wojnar lamented early concessions and missed power-play opportunities, while Zvolen coach Marek Zadina praised his side’s response and tactical finish to the match.
Key Facts
- Final score: HC Banská Bystrica 3, HKM Zvolen 5.
- Juraj Valach (Zvolen) scored twice: an opening goal after roughly 90 seconds and another from beyond the circle in the 15th minute.
- Bystrica’s first goal came from a Vargo rebound after Lucas hit the post.
- Kalmikov scored a power-play goal to increase Zvolen’s lead to 1:3 before the intermission.
- Tkáč added Zvolen’s fourth goal in the middle period, finishing from close range with a backhand.
- In the third period a Juraj Valach shot was deflected by Nauš into the net for another Zvolen goal.
- Marek Valach scored for Banská Bystrica in the third, and Kabáč later reduced the margin to 3:5 with a rebound finish.
- Banská Bystrica coach Vlastimil Wojnar: ” It was difficult for us, we conceded a goal basically from the opponent’s first shot and then it’s hard to play. Especially when it’s the first game and everyone is nervous…. At 3:5 we had a power play, we could have got back into it but we didn’t help ourselves with it. That’s where it broke. We fought until the end, we didn’t give up.”
- Zvolen coach Marek Zadina: ” It was a very tough game for us. The opponent played very well. We had a good first period, which we won 3:1, then we added two more goals, but with the score 5:1 for us we conceded two quick goals and the opponent got back into it… I must praise the team, they played a good game, we are satisfied with the course of the match and the result.”
IHM Discussion
Zvolen delivered a strong opening and converted key moments to build a decisive advantage. Juraj Valach’s early strike and his second in the first period set the tone; the side then capitalised on a power play through Kalmikov to stretch the lead, before Tkáč extended it further in the middle frame. Banská Bystrica showed resilience – Vargo’s rebound and late goals from Marek Valach and Kabáč shortened the gap – but Nauš’s third-period deflection from a Juraj Valach shot restored Zvolen’s five-goal total. Wojnar highlighted poor starts and a squandered late power play as turning points for Bystrica, while Zadina underlined tactical calm in the closing minutes after a nervy spell.
Why It Matters
The match underlined Zvolen’s capacity to strike early and control phases with special teams and high-percentage chances. For Banská Bystrica, the game exposed vulnerabilities at the very start of matches and the importance of converting late opportunities; the coach’s vow to even the head-to-head with Zvolen frames this result as a spur for the hosts rather than the end of a rivalry.
Mini Q&A
What was the final score and who won?
HKM Zvolen won 5-3 at HC Banská Bystrica.
Who scored twice for Zvolen?
Juraj Valach scored two goals for Zvolen.
Which Zvolen goal came on the power play?
Kalmikov scored on the power play to make it 1:3.
How did the Banská Bystrica coach react after the game?
Vlastimil Wojnar said the team conceded early, missed a crucial late power play and would aim to beat Zvolen next time to even the head-to-head.
IHM Final View
HKM Zvolen did the simple things better: early goals, a power-play strike and composed play to close out the match. Banská Bystrica fought and created late momentum, but missed opportunities in a key power play and an early concession cost them. The result rewards Zvolen’s start and offers Bystrica clear areas to address ahead of their next encounter.