HC Košice - HC Nové Zámky 3:2sn (0:0, 2:2, 0:0 - 0:0)

Goals and assists: 22. Pacan (Jenčík, Pulli), 31. Jenčík (Spilar, Šedivý) – 24. Šimun (Zbořil), 35. Škoda (Šille) - decisive individual shootout: Spilar (KOS)

Penalized players: 5:6 for two minutes, power plays: 1:0, defense play: 0:0, referees: Orolin, Mil. Novák – Bogdaň, Smrek, 2649 visitors

HC Košice: Habal (Škorvánek) – Kessel, Dudáš (C), Čížek, Šedivý, Koch, Pulli, Ovčačík, Michalčin – Spilar, Pacan, Jenčík (A) – Šoltés, Boltun, Miklík (A) – Kafka, Klíma, Koyš – Hričina, Vrábeľ, Petráš

HC Mikron Nové Zámky: Baroš (Romančík) – Salija (A), Husák, Plašil, Mich. Novák, Jass, Kuzma – Hřebejk, Jurík (C), Varga – Fábry (A), Šimun, Zbořil – Škoda, Šille, Lorraine

Habitual rewarding of the best cadet, young competitor and junior wearing the jersey of Košice preceded the match, this time for the month of January. The rewarded players got the prize right from the hands of the president of HC Košice, Július Lang. The best cadet of the previous month was Matej Jacko. As for the young competitors, Dominik Janičkár was chosen as the best one, for the juniors, Peter Eliáš was rewarded.

Košice began the match excellently, as already at the end of the 2nd minute, they found themselves in a goal chance. Dudáš skated in front of the pole from behind the net, however, the shot of our captain was blocked by Baroš. Dudáš tried to score also 3 minutes later, but the goalie of Nové Zámky was more successful again. On the other side, Šille got into a breakaway, but finally, he did not hit the net. Before the end of period, Pacan and Čížek got into a goal chance. While the former failed to score due to observant defense men of Nové Zámky, Čížek hit the puck right into Baroš. Thus, we did not see a goal in the first period.

The introductory minutes of the period brought a 2-men advantage in favor of our players. They finally managed to use it and change it to an opening goal. The accurate shot of Pacan was discussed by the main referee and the video-referee for quite a long time, however, after his verdict everything was clear - Košice were leading 1:0. The home players' happiness did not take too long, as in the 24th minute after Nové Zámky survived being shorthanded, Šimun escaped the defense men of Košice and altered the score by an equalizer to 1:1. Košice took over the lead once again, at the beginning of the 32nd minute, thanks to Jenčík's goal, but they let their lead slip away again. Škoda changed the score to 2:2, 5 minutes before the end of the period, and so, the players left the ice with this score.

Both teams stepped into the final period of the full regulation time with obvious aim - to score and to approach to the 3 valuable points. The Steelers had to be careful, as Šoltés was penalized and they played shorthanded, but they handled the situation excellently and they did not let the opponent shoot. The chance to score a power play goal in the 3rd period was not used by home players as well, and consequently, the match had to continue to overtime.

The greatest chance to score was that of Zbořil, who managed to put Habal down on the ice. But the Czech goalie saved the puck with his catch glove. Even despite the power play of Košice, neither the overtime decided about the match winner and so, individual shootouts followed. Finally, Gabriel Spilar's shootout resolved upon the final score, Petr Kafka was successful as well.

Marcel Šimurda, coach of Košice: "During the first period, we were probably too careful. In the middle period we took over the lead for 2 times, but unfortunately, the opponent was able to equalize. So, the following shootouts had to decide about the match result, and luckily, we were more successful."

Miroslav Mach, coach of Nové Zámky: "I have to admit that the guys were playing with dedication, and I am happy about point that they fairly gained in Košice. They could gain even more points, with a little bit of more luck, but all in all, I am very satisfied with the match result."