Poprad leads in the semifinal, Nitra lost its leader to a…

Poprad leads in the semifinal, Nitra lost its leader to a disciplinary suspension

04.04.2026 06:00 HotInfo

HK Poprad hockey players took the lead in the Tipsport liga play-off semifinal, winning the opening game on HK Nitra's ice 4:3 after overtime. The decisive goal was scored by Adam Cracknell with a clever deflection 42 seconds into extra time beyond regulation. SITA ↗

The match offered spectators dynamic hockey with numerous changes in the score. Nitra, which won the league in the regular season with 112 points and advanced to the semifinal after a dramatic seven-game qualification series with Michalovce, fell behind. However, the home side's favorite status did not show, as they managed to fight back into the game and equalize the score. sport.sk ↗

After the first game, however, the disciplinary committee penalized Nitra. The Professional Hockey Panel (SPH DK SZĽH) punished forward Tomáš Hrnka by suspending him from sporting activity for one game. The thirty-four-year-old center received the penalty for a cross-check in Friday's match. As a result, Nitra will be without its leader for the second semifinal game, representing a significant complication for the home side as the series continues. sport.pravda.sk ↗

HK Nitra would like to celebrate a major event in its history by advancing to the final. The club is marking one hundred years since its founding this year. Poprad, also known as the Kamzíci (Chamois), now takes the first point of the series away from Nitra. The play-off semifinal series is best-of-five wins, so both teams still have a long road ahead to the Tipsport liga final. sport.sk ↗

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