Slovan tames HC Lev for the third time in a row.

HC Lev Praha - HC SLOVAN Bratislava 3:4 (1:3, 2:1, 0:0)

Goals: 1. Klepiš (Nakládal), 27. Klepiš (Nakládal), 40. T. Rachůnek (Klepiš, Nakládal) - 6. M. Bakoš (Miklík), 8. Ölvecký (M. Daňo), 15. Bližňák (Miklík, Ďatelinka), 24. Kytnár (Sersen, Kukumberg), attendance: 15 543 

Rosters:
HC Lev: Štěpánek - Němec, Lepistö, Nakládal, Krejčík, Hunkes, Oystrick, J. Mikuš - Gynge, J. Novotný, Danielsson - Klepiš, Vrána, T. Rachůnek, Marcel Hossa - Cipulis, Cingel, Surový 
HC SLOVAN: Janus - Sersen, Sigalet, J. Tabaček, Mojžíš, Ďatelinka, Švarný, V. Mihálik - Miklík, Bližňák, M. Bakoš - Bartovič, Lipiansky, L. Hudáček - Kukumberg, Kytnár, Kudrna - M. Daňo, Ölvecký, T. Mikúš - Preisinger 

In front of an estimated 10 000 HC SLOVAN fans in the o2 Arena in Prague, HC SLOVAN Bratislava picked up a vital three points against HC Lev. It was not plain sailing, but a fantastic performance while missing Michal Vondrka, Ľubomír Višňovský, Martin Štajnoch and Andrej Šťastný propelled HC SLOVAN to their fourth win in a row. HC Lev opened the game brightly, scoring a goal after just 39 seconds as Klepiš found the back of the net after numerous attempts. However, that was to be the only joy that the hosts would get in the third period, as HC SLOVAN took the game away in the opening frame. First in the 6th minute, Martin Bakoš brought the HC SLOVAN fans to their feet with a beautiful move to the slot before wiring a wrist shot high glove side on Jakub Štěpánek. Two minutes later, it was Peter Ölvecký who scored, getting a fortunate bounce as Daňo tipped the puck away. HC Lev soon had a powerplay after HC SLOVAN took the lead but were unable to do anything with it. In the 15th minute, HC SLOVAN took a two goal lead as a Michel Miklik shot from the right circle found a hole between Štěpánek’s pad and blocker, and as the puck was stationery in the crease, Mário Bližňák was the first to react, and tapped the puck into the empty net. It could have even been 4:1 by the end of the first period, but for a fantastic stop by Štěpánek on Hudaček.

HC Lev started the second period as the better side, clearly motivated by a disappointing first period. However, four minutes into the middle frame, it was HC SLOVAN who scored once again. This time, a rocket of a shot along the ice by Michal Sersen was deflected expertly by Milan Kytnár into the top corner of the net, which gave the away side a commanding three goal lead. Three minutes later Klepiš found the back of the net for the second time, which gave the home side the momentum, as they began piling more pressure on the HC SLOVAN net, but Janus stood strong and made a number of saves, namely on Danielsson, Novotny and Klepiš. However, HC Lev found a way through Janus in the final minute of the second period, as T. Rachůnek benefitted by a great piece of play by Klepiš and Nakládal to find the back of the net.

The third period was a closely fought affair, as HC SLOVAN attempted to revert to the defensive style which has worked so well for them during the regular season so far. Poor discipline gave HC Lev a chance to get back into the game, especially after Hudáček took a penalty with under three minutes later, but Janus made the saves he needed to, and the HC SLOVAN defence stood tall and held on to a vital three points against one of their major rivals for a playoff spot.