Extraliga· Season 2025
HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 in Game 5 of the Tipsport Liga final to cut the series to 2-3. After leading 3-0 after one period, Nitra survived a Slovan rally and Jakub Lacka's 60:00 power-play goal sealed it.
Match Videos
Player Ratings
1.0 – 10.0Robby Jackson
Opening goal at 0:45 (Stacha, Čederle). Set the tone of the night and gave Nitra the psychological edge it nearly squandered.
Matej Paulovič
Two goals (18:00 and 60:00 empty-net). Stepped in for the suspended Buček and produced two critical strikes including the empty-netter.
Jakub Lacka
Decisive 60:00 power-play goal for 4-3 plus assist on Chrenko's strike. Kept Nitra alive in the series.
Tomáš Královič
Power-play goal at 37:00 (Acolatse, Varga). Started Slovan's comeback from 0-3, but his team couldn't finish the job.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryNitra Survives Match Point. Lacka Wins It on the Power Play
HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 in Game 5 of the Tipsport Liga 2025/26 final, cutting the series to 2-3 and sending the final back to Bratislava. After racing to a 3-0 first-period lead and watching Slovan tie it 3-3 in the third, Nitra got a 60:00 power-play winner from Jakub Lacka and an empty-netter from Matej Paulovič to seal a remarkable survival.
HK Nitra – HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 (3-0, 0-2, 2-1)
Goals: 1 Jackson (Stacha, Čederle), 13 Chrenko (Lacka, Okolicány), 18 Paulovič (Krištof, Čederle), 60 Lacka (PP), 60 Paulovič (Vitaloš, Stacha, EN) – 37 Královič (Acolatse, Varga, PP), 40 Pecararo (Peterek, O'Connor, PP), 45 Dmowski (Šimun, Bačik).
Goalies: Ferguson – Kiviaho. Penalties: 4-5 minors plus Takáč 5+GM for cross-checking. Power plays: 1-2, shorthanded: 0-0. Attendance: 3,600 (sold out).
/series: 2-3/
Three goals in 18 minutes
Nitra came out flying. Robby Jackson scored 45 seconds in (Stacha, Čederle), Tomáš Chrenko added a second at 13:00 (Lacka, Okolicány) and Matej Paulovič — stepping into the lineup for the suspended Samuel Buček — made it 3-0 at 18:00 (Krištof, Čederle). The first period was a near-flawless start.
Slovan rallies — and ties it
The visitors clawed back. Tomáš Královič scored on the power play at 37:00 (Acolatse, Varga) for 1-3. Liam Pecararo's own power-play goal at 40:00 (Peterek, O'Connor) made it 2-3 at the second intermission. Robert Dmowski tied it 3-3 at 45:00 (Šimun, Bačik), and the title looked within Slovan's grasp.
The disallowed goal that flipped the night
At 56:00 Tomáš Marcinko collided with goalie Ferguson and the puck went in. Officials reviewed and ruled goaltender interference — no goal. Nitra immediately drew a power play, and Jakub Lacka beat Kiviaho at 60:00 for 4-3. Paulovič then sealed the win with an empty-netter (Vitaloš, Stacha) in the final seconds.
What it means
Nitra cuts the series to 2-3 and earns at least one more game. Slovan, missing top scorer Takáč, couldn't finish a comeback that briefly had them within seconds of a title. Game 6 in Bratislava on 28 April gives Slovan a second match point — and gives Nitra one last shot at sending the series to a winner-takes-all Game 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Game 5?
HK Nitra beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5-3 (3-0, 0-2, 2-1) on 26 April 2026 in Nitra.
What is the series score after Game 5?
Slovan leads 3-2. Game 6 is on 28 April 2026 in Bratislava.
Who scored for Nitra?
Robby Jackson (0:45, Stacha & Čederle), Tomáš Chrenko (13:00, Lacka & Okolicány), Matej Paulovič (18:00, Krištof & Čederle; 60:00 empty-net, Vitaloš & Stacha) and Jakub Lacka (60:00 PP).
Who scored for Slovan Bratislava?
Tomáš Královič (37:00 PP, Acolatse & Varga), Liam Pecararo (40:00 PP, Peterek & O'Connor) and Robert Dmowski (45:00, Šimun & Bačik).
Why was Marcinko's goal disallowed at 56:00?
Marcinko collided with goalie Ferguson, and after video review officials waved off the goal for goaltender interference. The decision was the pivotal moment of the game — that goal would have given Slovan a 4-3 lead and likely the title.
Which players were missing in Game 5?
Nitra played without Samuel Buček (one-game suspension). Slovan was missing Samuel Takáč (suspended for cross-checking from Game 4) — the leading scorer in the series.
Match Events
S. Cederle
Tripping
D. Okolicany
Hooking
S. Cederle
Cross-checking
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Tripping
High sticking
R. Varga
Roughing
R. O'Connor
Roughing
Roughing
P. Bacik
Slashing
Power-play
M. Stacha
Match Summary
Nitra defeated Slovan Bratislava 5:3. The match was played in Extraliga 2025. Goals were scored by R. Jackson, T. Chrenko 12′, M. Paulovic 17′, T. Kralovic 16′, L. Pecararo 19′, R. Dmowski 4′, J. Lacka 19′, M. Paulovic 19′. Score by period: P1: 3–0, P2: 0–2, P3: 2–1.
Match Context
Tipsport Liga 2025/26 — playoff final, Game 5 of 7
Game 5 of the Slovak Extraliga (Tipsport Liga) playoff final. Slovan led the series 3-1 and could clinch the title with a win in Nitra; Nitra had to win or the season was over.
Pre-Match Analysis
Nitra Form
Nitra won Game 1 6-2 but then dropped three straight (2-7, 2-4, 3-4 SO). Series form: W-L-L-L.
Slovan Bratislava Form
Slovan won Games 2, 3 and 4 to reach championship match point. Series form: L-W-W-W.
Head to Head
Slovan led 3-1 entering the game; series goal differential 16-12 in Slovan's favor.
Match Report
Nitra came out flying — Robby Jackson scored just 45 seconds in (Stacha, Čederle) for 1-0. Tomáš Chrenko made it 2-0 at 13:00 (Lacka, Okolicány), and Matej Paulovič — replacing the suspended Buček — capped a dominant first period with a 3-0 strike at 18:00 (Krištof, Čederle). Slovan rallied in the second period: Tomáš Královič scored on the power play at 37:00 (Acolatse, Varga) for 1-3, and Liam Pecararo's power-play goal at 40:00 (Peterek, O'Connor) made it 2-3. Robert Dmowski tied the game at 45:00 (Šimun, Bačik) for 3-3. At 56:00, Tomáš Marcinko appeared to score what would have been a title-winning 4-3 for Slovan, but officials disallowed the goal after video review for goaltender interference on Ferguson. Jakub Lacka then converted on the power play at 60:00 to make it 4-3, and Paulovič scored an empty-netter (Vitaloš, Stacha) to seal a 5-3 final.
Turning Point
The disallowed Marcinko goal at 56:00. With the score 3-3 and Slovan pressing, Marcinko's apparent goal would have given Slovan the lead, the win and the title. Officials reviewed and waved it off for goaltender interference. Nitra immediately drew a power play and Lacka cashed it in at 60:00.
Nitra cuts the series to 2-3 and forces the action back to Bratislava. Slovan loses its second chance at the title and now must close out at home in Game 6 on 28 April. The absence of Takáč — the top scorer in the series — visibly affected Slovan's offense, which generated only three goals on six power-play opportunities.
Rivalry since 2021
Nitra vs Slovan Bratislava Head to Head Results· 50
Recent Meetings
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 15 May 2026