Story Summary
Dukla Trenčín coach Jay Woodcroft said the tension of a shootout win over Liptovský Mikuláš offered the sort of close-game test his team must embrace. The Canadian praised Liptovský Mikuláš as a well-organised, quick opponent, acknowledging that they levelled the game in the third period and created more scoring chances late on.
Woodcroft said Trenčín need to make one-goal victories part of their identity, viewing those situations as valuable preparation for the play-offs, where he believes a single goal can decide a game. Although his side did not want to surrender their lead, they came through the shootout.
Liptovský Mikuláš coach Aleš Totter pointed to special teams as the decisive area. His team did not score on the power play, while Trenčín converted with the man advantage through Filip Krivošík. Totter said his players were nevertheless pleased to take a point after showing belief in the third period and pushing for the equaliser.
Key Facts
- Jay Woodcroft said Liptovský Mikuláš were well organised and quick, and that they levelled the game in the third period.
- Woodcroft said Liptovský Mikuláš created more scoring chances late in the game.
- Dukla Trenčín prevailed in the shootout after losing their lead.
- Woodcroft said Trenčín must learn to win one-goal games as part of a play-off identity.
- Aleš Totter said special teams decided the game, with Liptovský Mikuláš failing to score on the power play.
- Filip Krivošík scored a power-play goal for Trenčín.
- Totter said Liptovský Mikuláš earned a point after battling back to level the game in the third period.
IHM Discussion
The coaches identified the same game from opposite ends. Woodcroft focused on the value of surviving a close finish, while Totter saw the special-teams margin that prevented Liptovský Mikuláš from turning their third-period comeback into an extra point.
For Trenčín, the shootout result does not erase the concern over allowing the equaliser or the late chances against them. It does, however, give Woodcroft a concrete example of his side staying in a tight contest long enough to secure the result. For Liptovský Mikuláš, the comeback and their late pressure offered encouragement, but Totter was clear that the missed power-play opportunity and the goal conceded while short-handed shaped the outcome.
Why It Matters
Close games are often decided by small details, and this one highlighted two of them: protecting a lead under late pressure and making special teams count. Trenčín found a way through the shootout, while Liptovský Mikuláš showed they could force the game back to level terms but were left to reflect on the power-play imbalance identified by Totter.
Mini Q&A
What did Jay Woodcroft say about the game?
Woodcroft praised Liptovský Mikuláš’s organisation and pace, and said Trenčín must become a team capable of winning one-goal games.
Why did Aleš Totter believe Liptovský Mikuláš fell short?
Totter said special teams were decisive because his side did not score on the power play and conceded a power-play goal to Filip Krivošík.
How did Trenčín win the game?
Trenčín came through the shootout after Liptovský Mikuláš had levelled the game in the third period.