Machine-translated from Hungarian.
After two wins in two days (against Žilina and Košice), we’ve reached the final stages of the EUHL regular season, and now our biggest challenge lies ahead: we hosted the league leaders and reigning champions, UMB from Banská Bystrica, on Saturday evening at the Győr Ice Sports Centre.
On paper, a comfortable away win was expected, but fortunately the lads aren’t ones to be swayed by the bookies’ predictions and took to the ice with confidence, with victory firmly in their sights. We saw a completely even contest in the first period; there were dangerous moves at both ends, but the defences held firm, and the first 20 minutes ended goalless.
The teams came out onto the ice for the second period with tremendous vigour once again, and although it was only by a hair’s breadth, it seemed we were keeping our opponents under greater pressure. Nevertheless, the first goal of the match came from a Banská Bystrica player; following a controversial collision, the visitors managed to break away from their own third and Porubsky found the net three minutes before the break. 0–1
Although we were down a man compared to our opponents, we didn’t give up and fought hard right through the final period, even though the Slovak side were clearly able to create more chances by that stage. Fortunately, however, they only managed to create chances, and in the 53rd minute, Benedek Madácsi received a superb pass and ruthlessly slammed the puck into the net to equalise! 1–1
It almost looked as though the match was heading for extra time, but with a minute and a half to go before the final whistle, we gained a man advantage and head coach Mátyás Odnoga called a time-out. It was clear that the aim was to secure victory within normal time; straight after the face-off, we pressed the visitors hard, but this backfired, Jasenek managed to snatch the puck and drive towards the Győr goal with a clear shot, which he didn’t miss, deciding the match in the final minute. 1–2
**The lads put in a brilliant performance; in their third match in three days, they almost pulled off a massive upset against last year’s champions.
We finished the regular season with great heart and as a real team; to secure a place in the top four of the EUHL play-offs, we will have to face the Žilina team in a best-of-three series.**
Come on, UNI GYŐR ETO!
UNI GYŐR ETO HC vs UMB: 1 – 2 (EUHL) Goalscorers: #18 Benedek Madácsi (UNI GYŐR ETO), #23 Porubsky, #28 Jasenek (UMB)
We’ve put together a selection of the best photos from the match in our gallery:
Photo: Dr Krisztina Németh-Csigai
Fotó: Dr. Németh-Csigai Krisztina