Bratislava (Slovakia) May 1: HKM Zvolen edged HK Poprad 4-3 in overtime at home in Game 2 of Slovakia's ice hockey premiership playoff finals on Friday, stretching its lead to 2-0 in the series.
Radovan Bondra became the hero of the match, scoring and also the winner in overtime.
HK Poprad was missing the most productive player of the league Marcel Hascak, who was injured in Game 1. His replacement Peter Bjaloncik opened the scoring only two and a half minutes into the game. Five minutes into the first period, his teammate MatejPalocko lifted Poprad to a 2-0 lead.
One minute before the end of the first period came Bondra's first moment. He capitalized on a rebound and cut the deficit for Zvolen to 1-2.
In the second minute of the second period, the home team tied the score when Michal Ivan's redirected shot from the left circle found the net.
Six minutes in, Zvolen lost its captain to injury when Radovan Pulis was fouled by Petr Ulrych. The home team did not capitalize on the subsequent powerplay but managed to go ahead 3-2 in the 13th minute when Brandon Mashinterintercepeted a pass and continued on a successful breakaway.
Zvolensuceeded in pushing the game into overtime four minutes into the final period when PatrikMarcinek redirected OlrichKotvan's shot from behind a circle.
Five minutes into OT, Bondra scored the golden goal, putting Zvolen 2-0 ahead in the finals series.
"I am glad I was able to help my team win but it's important that we can win also without my goals. Both teams are missing its key players. The games are even and details decide the outcome. I am glad we were able to turn the game around despite trailing. We have to repeat it in Poprad," said Bondra after the game.
Source: Xinhua