Story Summary
Nitra completed pre-season with a 3-0 home victory over Polish champions GKS Tychy. Assistant coach Dušan Milo described the match as useful preparation despite missed power-play chances. Nitra finished their preparations with three wins and one defeat. The club will host Swedish sides Skellefteå on Friday 4 September at 18:00 and Växjö on Sunday 6 September at 17:00 in the Champions Hockey League. Goaltender Šichabudtin Gadžiev, a 21-year-old born in Russia, forms a tandem with club graduate Matej Marinov, who is two years older.
Key Facts
- HK Nitra defeated GKS Tychy 3:0 in a pre-season friendly at home.
- Assistant coach Dušan Milo said the match was played at a good tempo and noted the team missed power-play opportunities that could matter later.
- Nitra’s pre-season record: three wins (including victories over Zlín 7:3 and Ferencváros 6:2) and one loss (0:2 away at Zlín).
- The club used pre-season to try new players and to integrate those who started the friendlies, according to the coaching staff.
- Nitra will host Skelleftea on Friday 4 September at 18:00 and Växjö on Sunday 6 September at 17:00 in the Champions Hockey League.
- Šichabudtin Gadžiev, a 21-year-old goalkeeper born in Russia, said the team is not afraid of its CHL opponents and that Nitra will try to take some points.
- Gadžiev forms a goaltending tandem with Matej Marinov, who is two years older and is a product of Nitra’s academy.
IHM Discussion
Nitra’s win over GKS Tychy provided a useful final tune-up before the Champions Hockey League. Dušan Milo noted that Tychy created few chances and that Gadžiev had little to do, while also highlighting missed power-play opportunities that could matter against stronger opposition. The pre-season results included high-scoring wins over Zlín and Ferencváros, but the coaching staff remain focused on areas that need improvement. That balance of confidence and realism will shape Nitra’s approach to the home games against Skellefteå and Växjö.
Why It Matters
The Champions Hockey League gives Nitra an early test against stronger opposition. The home games will show how the side’s special teams, defensive play and goaltending stand up under greater pressure, while offering a valuable benchmark before the domestic campaign.
Mini Q&A
How did Nitra finish their pre-season?
Nitra beat GKS Tychy 3:0 at home and completed pre-season with three wins and one defeat.
Who did Nitra face and beat during pre-season?
Alongside GKS Tychy, Nitra recorded wins over Zlín (7:3) and Ferencváros (6:2); their sole loss was 0:2 away at Zlín.
When and against whom are Nitra’s next matches?
Nitra will host Skelleftea on Friday 4 September at 18:00 and Växjö on Sunday 6 September at 17:00 in the Champions Hockey League.
What did assistant coach Dušan Milo say about the Tychy game?
Dušan Milo called the match ‘played at a good tempo’, noted missed power-play chances that could matter later, and said Tychy did not create many chances, so goalkeeper Gadžiev had relatively little to do.
Who are Nitra’s goalkeepers?
Šichabudtin Gadžiev, a 21-year-old born in Russia, and Matej Marinov, a club graduate two years older, form the club’s goaltending tandem.
What Comes Next
Nitra’s next games are home Champions Hockey League fixtures against Skellefteå on Friday 4 September at 18:00 and Växjö on Sunday 6 September at 17:00. They will offer the first competitive indication of how the pre-season work carries over against stronger opposition.
IHM Final View
Nitra’s preparation achieved much of what the club wanted: the team scored goals, tried new players and built confidence ahead of the Champions Hockey League. Nitra can approach the challenge with optimism while remaining realistic about the level of opposition.
