We finished our journey through the basic part by the Sunday's match against Zvolen. Later development of the matches of the last round decided that our opponent in the first round of this year's Kaufland Play-Off will be Banská Bystrica, the last year's champion. The first match of the quarterfinals series will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 in Banská Bystrica.

The performance of the current champion was not great and their loss with Liptovský Mikuláš or Poprad caused that from the first position they fell to the fourth position. The statistics speak clearly – five matches and just one victory during regular playtime with the newcomer from Detva. It is definitely not a shape the Rams would want to have for the most important part of the season.

The American forward Cason HOHMANN became the most productive player of Banská Bystrica. In 51 matches he scored 15 times and passed for additional 32 goals. Therefore, he became the best set-up player of Banská Bystrica. The duo of foreign forwards Éric FAILLE and Josh BRITTAIN after the basic part are now on the front of the shooters of their team. Both of them shot 20 goals, but the second one needed less matches for the same number. The most productive Slovak was the captain Tomáš SUROVÝ. 48 matches were enough for him to achieve 42 points for 13 goals and 29 assistances. As far as defense, Ivan ĎATELINKA performed well, he overcome the opponent's goalman 8 times and passed for the same number of goals.

Two legionnaire goalmen also played well, but the Czech Jan LUKÁŠ had a little bit better statistics. He played in 27 matches, and lead 18 of them to the winning end. His success rate was 93.15%. His Finnish colleague Teemu LASSILA played 31 matches and enjoyed 18 victories. Percentage of the success rate of the world champion from 2011 in the basic part was 91.33%. Both goalmen managed to achieve zero goals in two matches.

The Steelers’ leader became again their captain Ladislav NAGY. The experienced veteran became our most productive player and also the best shooter. This season NAGY played 42 matches, where he scored 22 times and added 19 assistances. Marek HOVORKA was on the top of our point classification, but eventually ended-up on the second place. In 48 matches his balance is 14 goals and 25 assistances. The most productive legionary is the Canadian David PACAN. In his first season outside the USA in 52 matches he collected 37 Canadian points (12+25). But his strengths are bullies. Here the 26-year old Canadian recorded excellent success rate of 61.42%! Among the defenders the best statistics has Eduard ŠEDIVÝ. In 55 matches he scored 6 times and added also 22 assistances.

Also our team was represented by foreign goalmen. Vladislav HABAL played 38 matches, 23 of them winning and he managed to maintained his success rate on the level of 92.77%. The Swedish Joakim LUNDSTRÖM played 21 matches and his success rate was 91.82%. Both of them added to their balance also one match with 0 goals.

The statistics of mutual matches is in favor of our opponent. Our quarterfinal opponent had several victories on their ice-rink - 2:1, 5:3, and 5:2, but they enjoyed victory also on the ice-rink of Steel Arena 4:2 and last time 5:4 after shootouts. We won above the current champion in the 13th round on our ice 5:2.

But everything can be changen in play-off! Let's cross our fingers for our boys in these difficult quarterfinal matches. At home we will create atmosphere, which will drive them for important victories.

Play-off is starting, KOŠICE GO, GO, GO!

Quarterfinal program:

Match 1 – Saturday, March 17, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica – HC Košice
Match 2 – Sunday, March 18, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica – HC Košice
Match 3 – Wednesday, March 21, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC Košice - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica
Match 4 – Thursday, March 22, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC Košice - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica

Other potential matches:
Match 5 – Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica – HC Košice
Match 6 – Monday, March 26, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica – HC Košice
Match 7 – Wednesday, March 28, 2018 – 6:00 PM - HC Košice - HC ´05 Banská Bystrica