Story Summary
Čajkovský was delighted to find the net as Žilina beat Košice in the Slovak Extraliga, ending a long personal wait for another goal in the country’s top division.
The 34-year-old defenceman had last scored at that level during the 2009-10 season, when he played for HK Orange 20. He said he was pleased with the finish, explaining that he picked his spot and struck it cleanly.
Žilina added a second goal in the middle period through Marek Hecl, whose strike proved to be the winner and who was named Žilina’s best player. Košice pulled one back in the third period through Oleksij Dachnovsky before Dejo scored into an empty net.
The home side were playing after a demanding trip to Nitra, while Košice were completing their third game in four days. Žilina assistant coach Daniel Babka praised his side’s penalty killing and goaltending, although he also identified third-period puck losses as an area for improvement.
Key Facts
- Čajkovský, a 34-year-old defenceman, scored in Slovakia’s top division for the first time since the 2009-10 season with HK Orange 20.
- Čajkovský said he was glad to score, adding that he aimed at the target and hit it precisely.
- Marek Hecl made it 2-0 for Žilina in the second period and his goal stood as the winner.
- Hecl was named Žilina’s best player in the match.
- Oleksij Dachnovsky scored Košice’s third-period goal to reduce the deficit.
- Dejo later scored into an empty net for Žilina.
- Žilina assistant coach Daniel Babka said the team’s penalty killing worked very well and that their goaltender had supported them.
- Babka said Žilina were in first place in the league table at that stage and were already preparing internally for the play-offs.
- Žilina played without leading scorer Šimon Petráš, who was given leave as his family expected the birth of a child.
- Former Žilina forward Jozef Baláž, now with Košice, described his return to the club as a positive one despite the defeat.
IHM Discussion
The result carried several strands beyond the immediate win. For Čajkovský, the goal was a rare scoring moment in the Slovak top flight after an absence stretching back to his HK Orange 20 season. His reaction reflected the personal significance of converting the chance rather than any broader claim about a change in his role.
Hecl supplied the decisive goal and spoke positively about his form following his arrival from Zvolen. He said goals give any player confidence, while also stressing that he was grateful for the run he is enjoying. The game’s scoring sequence gave Žilina a two-goal cushion after the second period, but Košice’s response through Dachnovsky ensured there was still pressure before the empty-net finish.
Babka’s assessment was measured. He credited the work on the penalty kill and the goaltender’s contribution, but did not present the performance as flawless. His concern over turnovers in the third period was a clear acknowledgement that Žilina allowed aspects of their game to become less secure late on.
Košice forward Baláž also viewed the contest as closely balanced. He said the visitors were prepared despite their condensed schedule, but felt their finishing did not bring enough reward and that Žilina punished their mistakes. His comments placed the defeat in the context of a competitive game rather than suggesting Košice were overwhelmed.
Why It Matters
Žilina’s victory maintained their position at the top of the league table at that point, according to Babka, and gave the club a positive response after the defeat in Nitra.
The match also showed that the team could secure a result without Petráš, who was absent for family reasons. That is a statement about this single game, not a judgement on his wider importance: Babka identified Petráš as Žilina’s most productive forward.
For Košice, the narrow nature of the game and their third-period goal left Baláž believing there was a basis to respond when the sides next meet at their home rink.
Mini Q&A
When did Čajkovský last score in Slovakia’s top division before this game?
He had last scored in the 2009-10 season, playing for HK Orange 20.
Who scored Žilina’s winning goal?
Marek Hecl scored Žilina’s second goal in the middle period, and it proved to be the winner.
Why did Šimon Petráš miss the game?
Daniel Babka said Petráš was given leave because his family were expecting the birth of a child.
IHM Final View
Čajkovský’s goal supplied the standout individual note, ending his long wait for a top-flight Slovak score. Hecl’s winner, solid penalty killing and the goaltender’s contribution gave Žilina the decisive platform, even if Babka’s remarks on third-period turnovers showed there remains work to do. Košice stayed in the contest through Dachnovsky’s goal, but Žilina closed the game with an empty-net finish.