HK Poprad earns first victory in Slovak ice hockey playoff semifinals

Bratislava (Slovakia) Apr 20: After losing twice on the ice of HK Dukla Michalovce, HK Poprad rallied on Monday and took a home victory in Game 3 of the Slovak Tipos Extraliga playoff semifinals, overcoming the visitors 2-1 and cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.
Marcel Hascak (42 goals and 34 assists) opened the scoring just two minutes into the game on a powerplay, confirming Poprad's ambitions of leveling the series. But the visitors answered in equal measure, capitalizing on the home team's penalty with Graeme McCormack's off-the-post goal in the 8th minute and tying the score at 1-1.
A few minutes later, Poprad retook the lead when Michael Vandas found Lukas Handlovsky between the circles who sent a low shot toward Michalovce's goal and it ended in the back off the net, 2-1.
Ten seconds before the end of the exciting first period, Vandas was fouled on a prime scoring chance but Patrik Svitana failed to convert on the resulting penalty shot. Nevertheless, Poprad's close 2-1 lead was enough to secure the victory as neither team managed to get on the scoreboard in the remaining two periods.
"We are back in the series after a solid performance. The victory was hard-fought but deserved. Our intent was to stay active throughout the game. I hope we will increase our shooting percentage down the road," said Poprad assistant coach Jan Simko after the final siren.
Source: Xinhua