SLOVAN RETURNS THE FAVOR IN BRNO!

Kometa Brno - HC SLOVAN Bratislava 2:3 (SO) -  (1:1, 0:0, 1:1 - 0:1)

Goals: 11. L. Čermák (J. Hanzlík), 46. Kempný (T. Svoboda, Koreis) - 12. J. Mikúš (B. Mráz), 43. J. Brejčák. Deciding penalty shot: Vondrka

Lineups:
HC Kometa Brno: Trvaj (Čiliak) – Dujsík, Hanzlík, Kempný, Kováčik, Žižka, Kuboš, Dlapa, Sedlák – J. Hruška, Čermák (C), T. Vondráček – T. Svoboda, V. Němec, J. Káňa – Burian, Koreis, H. Zohorna – Raška, Wasserbauer, Raška.
HC Slovan Bratislava: Janus (Kopřiva) – Škoula, Štajnoch, Mihálik, Sigalet, Brejčák, Mojžíš, Luža, Petráš – Hudáček, Šťastný, Šatan – Vondrka, Bližňák (C) Bakoš – Mikúš T., Mikúš J., Mráz – Kozák Kudrna, Mlynčár.

For the return leg of the friendly encounter with Kometa, Slovan took to the ice in Brno with relish. The visitors threatened Trvaj’s net several times early on, and in the 8^th minute, Bližňák let off a superb effort at the top right corner, only to see Trvaj save with the blocker. Hudáček then went to the sin bin to sit out for Janus’s foul, and Čermák struck the bouncing puck beyond our goalie’s catcher – 1:0. The hosts barely had time to savor the goal, as Juraj Mikúš was on hand to turn in a shot from Bruno Mráz – 1:1. The second period went goalless, despite both teams having a couple of major chances. Burian broke away for Brno but couldn’t take the finish, while Štajnoch shot powerfully for Slovan, but Šatan’s dangerous touch proved unsuccessful.

Brejčák directed Slovan towards victory in the 43^rd minute, his effort from the blue line sneaking into the net thanks to Juraj Mikúš unsighting the goalie right in front of the net – 1:2. But Kometa managed to equalize two minutes later, Kempný making the most of the second powerplay to shoot home. The scoreboard in the Kajot Arena showed the same result as the Slovnaft Arena 2:2.

Michal Vondrka decided the shootout in Slovan’s favor this time, Bližňák and Šatan also finding the net. Jaro Janus let in two, but crucially kept out Koreis.

Ján Lipiansky (assistant coach): Both games provided what we wanted. I think they were quality outings, with a good atmosphere. Brno had some great moments, and we were able to put them under pressure too. We’re pleased to have put in some good preparation for the KHL. That competition continues in less than a week. As I say, we’ve got what we wanted. I wish Brno good luck in their playoffs.