Story Summary
HK Poprad left Prešov with a 4:1 victory after turning a scoreless opening period into a decisive middle stanza. Adam Dvořák opened the scoring from a rebound, Ľubomír Malina drilled home a second and captain Adam Cracknell redirected Lefebvre’s shot for the third. Prešov pulled one back through Matej Giľák in the third, but Filip Mezovský converted into an empty net late on to wrap up the visitors’ win.
Key Facts
- Final score: HC Prešov 1 – HK Poprad 4.
- Adam Dvořák opened the scoring for Poprad after Šotek’s shot was stopped by Maxwell and the rebound fell to him.
- Ľubomír Malina scored to make it 2:0 after a blocked shot fell to him and he struck decisively.
- Poprad moved 3:0 ahead when Adam Cracknell won a face-off to Lefebvre, then redirected Lefebvre’s shot into the net.
- Matej Giľák scored Prešov’s only goal with a subtle chip into the top-left corner to make it 3:1.
- Filip Mezovský completed the scoring with an empty-net goal after Bjalončík intercepted Drgoň’s misplaced pass and fed him.
- The first period ended 0:0; Poprad’s three goals arrived in the middle period and the fourth came in the final minutes.
- Prešov took penalties at 26′ (sekanie / Pennington) and 34′ (hákovanie / Keltie Miguel); Poprad converted the second power play to extend their lead.
- Maxwell made a notable first-period save on Dvořák, while an unnamed Poprad forward hit the frame in the second period and Urbánek struck the crossbar on a Poprad power play in the third.
- Prešov created a sustained goalmouth scramble during a late power play but could not find a second goal.
- Poprad’s fourth goal came after Prešov had pulled their goalkeeper for an extra attacker, the visitors finishing the contest into an empty net.
IHM Discussion
The match unfolded as a two-act contest. The opening 20 minutes were cautious, with both goalkeepers making important stops and neither side breaking through. The middle period was decisive as the visitors built pressure and scored three times.
Poprad’s 28th-minute opener came when Maxwell could only push Šotek’s shot into the path of Adam Dvořák. Malina made it 2:0 two minutes later after finding Bjalončík’s blocked shot, before Adam Cracknell won a face-off and redirected Lefebvre’s immediate shot for the third. The sequence gave Poprad a commanding lead before the second intermission.
Prešov responded in the third when Matej Giľák lifted a shot into the top corner. The home side then created a scramble during a power play, but Poprad cleared the danger. In the closing stages, Bjalončík intercepted Drgoň’s misplaced pass after Prešov withdrew Maxwell and set up Mezovský for the empty-net goal.
Why It Matters
The result gives Poprad a convincing away victory, built on a ruthless second period. For Prešov, three goals conceded in six minutes of the middle frame proved decisive despite a more energetic response after the break. Poprad took their key chances, while Prešov could not turn late pressure into a second goal.
Mini Q&A
What was the final score and who won?
HK Poprad defeated HC Prešov 4:1.
Who scored Poprad’s goals?
Adam Dvořák, Ľubomír Malina, captain Adam Cracknell and Filip Mezovský, who scored into an empty net, scored for Poprad.
Who scored Prešov’s goal?
Matej Giľák scored Prešov’s lone goal.
How did Poprad’s third goal come about?
Adam Cracknell won a face-off to Lefebvre, then redirected Lefebvre’s shot into the net.
Were there notable goalkeeper saves or posts?
Yes. Maxwell made a notable save on Adam Dvořák in the first period; an unnamed Poprad forward hit the frame in the second, and Urbánek struck the crossbar on a Poprad power play in the third.
IHM Final View
A clinical middle period gave Poprad the margin they needed. Prešov responded in the third but could not build on Giľák’s goal, and Mezovský’s empty-net finish sealed a 4:1 away win.
