Story Summary
Košice suffered their first defeat of the season against Slovan Bratislava after a decisive incident in the 36th minute. Goaltender Jurčák collided behind his net with Tomáš Marcinko; the puck then came out in front and Radek Deyl knocked it into his own goal. Jurčák described the contact as an illegal hit and said he had not seen the opponent before the impact. Slovan had opened the scoring through Ryan Dmowski, while Košice replies came from a tipped effort by Bíreš and an equaliser from Patrik Lamper. Coach Ceman praised Košice’s controlled exits and forechecking despite the loss. Košice have eight points from four games and will host Poprad on Friday, 25 September, when the club will honour its 1986 and 1996 title teams.
Key Facts
- Košice lost to Slovan Bratislava after Radek Deyl knocked the puck into his own net following a collision between Jurčák and Tomáš Marcinko behind the net in the 36th minute.
- Goaltender Jurčák said he felt a hit he did not expect because he did not see an opponent; he described the contact as a foul and said: ” According to me it should have been whistled, but let those responsible comment – I am not the referee.”
- Slovan goalkeeper Julian Junca made several saves in the first period and Ryan Dmowski scored for the visitors.
- Košice’s goals came from a tipped attempt by Bíreš and an equaliser from Patrik Lamper.
- Coach Ceman praised his team’s ability to exit under control and called it the team’s best forechecking of the season, commending the balanced use of four lines.
- Košice conceded a further empty-net goal late in the third period.
- After four games Košice have eight points and sit third in the table behind Žilina and Slovan.
- Košice will host Poprad on Friday 25 September and will honour the club’s 1986 and 1996 championship teams that night.
- Bíreš is a 32-year-old forward and is a Banská Bystrica youth product.
IHM Discussion
The match turned on a single, disputed moment rather than a prolonged collapse. Košice were able to generate chances in the opening period but met a resolute Julian Junca in Slovan’s goal; the visitors struck first through Ryan Dmowski. Košice’s response in the second period – a tipped goal by Bíreš and a leveller from Patrik Lamper – showed the team’s capacity to react, and coach Ceman pointed to controlled exits and strong forechecking as evidence of the side executing its game plan. The 36th-minute collision behind the net left Jurčák momentarily turned and the puck ended up in the Košice goal off Radek Deyl. Jurčák’s contention that the contact should have been whistled places the decision with the match officials. His view of the incident will remain a talking point for Košice supporters and staff.
Why It Matters
This result marks Košice’s first defeat of the season but does not erase the encouraging signs Ceman highlighted: disciplined exits, effective forechecking and four balanced lines. Those elements can support consistency over a long season. At the same time, the circumstances of the decisive goal underline how marginal incidents – a collision behind the net, a deflection and an official’s call – can determine individual results. For a team sitting third after four matches, maintaining its defensive structure will be important in the next outing.
Mini Q&A
What exactly decided the match between Košice and Slovan?
A puck that emerged from behind Košice’s net after a collision between goaltender Jurčák and Tomáš Marcinko ended up in the net off Radek Deyl, producing the decisive goal in the 36th minute.
Did Jurčák call for a penalty after the collision?
Jurčák said he felt the contact, did not expect it because he did not see an opponent, and believed the incident should have been whistled; he added that the competent authorities must comment, as he is not the referee.
Who scored for Slovan and who replied for Košice?
Ryan Dmowski scored for Slovan. Košice’s goals included a tipped effort by Bíreš and an equaliser from Patrik Lamper; Košice also conceded a later empty-net goal.
What is Košice’s position in the table after this game?
After four matches Košice have eight points and sit third in the standings behind Žilina and Slovan.
When and against whom do Košice play next?
Košice will host Poprad on Friday 25 September; the club will honour its 1986 and 1996 championship teams during that fixture.
What Comes Next
Košice will host Poprad on Friday 25 September; during that fixture the club will honour its 1986 and 1996 championship teams. The match is the next concrete checkpoint for Košice to respond to the defeat and continue building on the defensive structure praised by coach Ceman.
IHM Final View
The result will be remembered for the disputed collision and the own goal, but the match also offered encouragement: Košice played within a system the coach trusts and produced attacking pressure. Their next task is to carry that structure into the visit of Poprad.