Slovan continues fine pre-season form

HC Slovan Bratislava - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 2:1 after overtime (0:0, 1:0, 0:1 - 1:0)

Goals: 30. L. Hudáček (M. Daňo, Kukumberg), 64. Bližňák (Ölvecký) - 45. Krasnoslobodtsev (Wolski)

Rosters:
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus - Sersen, Škoula, Sigalet, Mojžíš, Mihálik, Štajnoch, Brejčák, Ďatelinka - Bartovič, Bližňák, Netík, Vondrka, Ölvecký, Miklík, Daňo, Kukumberg, Hudáček, T. Mikúš, A. Šťastný, R. Mráz, Kolena.
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod: Kovaľ – Vorobjov, Hietanen, Jevsejenkov, Chomitskij, Bernatskij, Grigorjev, Belochvostikov, Makarov – Salminen, Immonen, Paršin – Wolski, Brent, Krasnoslobodcev – Potapov, Sčastlivy, Kulakov – Kuľomin, Ignatuškin, Žarkov

With an almost identical line-up to the side that defeated Spartak Moscow last week, HC SLOVAN Bratislava began their second home pre-season game positively, creating some early chances. Torpedo, who have recently been at a pre-season camp in Maribor looked fatigued and struggled to keep pace. The first chance of the match came five minutes in for Peter Ölvecký, but Koval made a smart save to deny the HC SLOVAN centre. Former NHL player Wojtek Wolski had a great chance to give Torpedo the lead mid-way through the period, receiving the pass from Brent and breaking in alone on Janus. However, Janus was able to cover the angle, although his attempted poke check ended up tripping Wolski. Later in the period, Janus had to be alert to make saves on Torpedo’s pair of Finnish forwards, Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen.

HC SLOVAN Bratislava were far the better team to start the second period, as captain Bartovič, Daňo and Ölvecký all went close. HC SLOVAN looked threatening on the powerplay and in the 30^th minute they finally made the man advantage count. Daňo passed from the right wing into the slot, and Libor Hudáček had all the time in the world to pick his spot and fire low past Koval. Netík went close almost immediately after the goal, but he missed the goal with a wild shot.

Torpedo seemed to up the tempo in the third period, and started to claw back not only in the shots on goal stakes, but also on the scoreboard. In the 45^th minute, Wolski fired a pass into crease, and Krasnoslobodtsev was able to beat out the HC SLOVAN defenceman and slide the puck under Janus’ pad. Later in the period, Janus made an incredible sprawling stop with his shoulder to deny Jarkko Immonen. HC SLOVAN were holding on to take the game to overtime. After some early Torpedo chances, a bad chance by the away side meant that Peter Ölvecký was able to find Mário Bližňák with a stretch pass. The HC SLOVAN forward had his first breakaway chance saved by Koval, but the rebound fell right on his stick, and he was able to score into the empty net.

HC SLOVAN remain unbeaten to start pre-season, and they hope to continue that run Friday evening against UPC Vienna Capitals in the European Trophy.