WE'RE IN THE EUHL FINAL!

As well as in the Andersen League, our team is also enjoying a fantastic run in the EUHL; in the quarter-finals, we managed to beat Uniza Žilina by a wide margin, and to reach the final we had to ‘overcome’ last year’s runners-up, Gladiators Trenčín to reach the final. The first two matches of the best-of-three series were played away from home, where we managed to take one win despite being the away team; consequently, the stakes for the Tuesday and Wednesday matches in Győr were all about securing a place in the next round in front of our home crowd.

We started Tuesday’s match decisively and confidently, managing to put the Trenčín side under pressure in the first period, which paid off after 10 minutes: Barnabás Majoross capitalised on the scramble in front of goal with a well-placed long-range shot: 1–0

They hadn’t even had time to announce the previous goal when the next one came: straight after the kick-off, Nikita Bogdanov beat his defender with a superb feint and confidently fired the ball into the net. 2–0

Of course, you can never write off the “gladiators”; five minutes later, Skvarka found himself unmarked in front of our goal, and at this level, they don’t let chances like that go to waste. 2–1

We started the second period with a man advantage, which we managed to capitalise on just a few seconds before it ended, with Martin Sipák well positioned in front of goal. 3–1

Trenčín struck again halfway through the third period; Gergely Hunor saved Osvald’s first shot, but was unable to reach the rebound. 3–2

A few minutes before half-time, the visitors had another reason to celebrate, as Skvarka once again received a fine pass from his team-mate. 3–3

Our two-goal lead had evaporated by the end of the second period, so the teams started the final period with a clean slate; the opening stages turned into a real ‘fireworks display’, with three goals scored within a minute. Vonkomer got the ball rolling, neatly pouncing on a loose puck in the neutral zone and carrying the attack through on his own. 3–4

After the face-off, we won possession and scored from our very first attack, with Martin Sipák scoring from almost a zero angle. 4–4

We didn’t get to enjoy the equaliser for long; Trenčín’s first attack resulted in a goal, with Osvald once again finding a gap. 4–5

For the next 10 minutes, neither team could gain the upper hand, but fortunately we managed to break that deadlock: Bence Dézsi received a superb pass, which he slotted into the top right-hand corner with surgical precision. 5–5

Mentally, the crowd were already bracing themselves for extra time, but Martin Sipák had other ideas; with just one minute to go, he found himself in a good position in front of the visitors’ goal and didn’t let his nerve fail him! 6–5

After that, of course, the visitors called a time-out and tried playing with an empty net for the final 60 seconds, but we managed to win the puck and Martin Sipák sealed the match with a brace! 7–5

**We’ve taken a huge step towards the final; on Wednesday, our aim was simply to qualify at the Győr University Ice Sports Centre! **

We were on the verge of a historic victory on Wednesday, but we knew the Gladiators would fight to the very end.

In contrast, we managed to take the lead very quickly; right in the first minute, Nikita Bogdanov found himself alone in front of goal, and he didn’t hold back.

1–0

For nearly 15 minutes after that, neither side could break through the other’s defence, but then Benedek Madácsi’s shot found its way into the visitors’ net, doubling our lead. 2–0

We were reduced to ten men early in the second period, and the visitors capitalised on this, with Kassa firing the ball into the top right-hand corner. 2–1

Shortly afterwards, we had the numerical advantage, which we were able to capitalise on: Dániel Csölle scored a clever goal – the ball rebounding off the goalkeeper. 3–1

A few minutes later, we could well have sealed the match: Bence Dézsi was awarded a penalty for a foul, but the visitors’ goalkeeper made a fine save.

Halfway through the third period, we found ourselves two men down, and the Slovakian team capitalised on the opportunity, with Janosik scoring. 3–2

A few minutes before half-time, István Szűcs received a fine pass whilst in a one-on-one situation and gave the opposition goalkeeper no chance. 4–2

The final period got off to a disastrous start; by the middle of the period, our two-goal lead had turned into a two-goal deficit. Right at the start, Trenčín were able to attack with a two-man advantage once again – which they capitalised on – and then Husar, Kassa and Osvald all found the net. 4–6 You could sense that the visitors were doing everything they could to equalise.

This season, however, we have already demonstrated on several occasions that the team has made huge strides in terms of mental strength and resilience; we can keep fighting right up to the very last moment.

With 7 minutes to go, we had a 5-on-3 attack, and Benedek Madácsi managed to capitalise on the opportunity, reducing the Slovak team’s lead to 1 goal. 5–6

Shortly afterwards, the “gladiators” managed to defend against another two-man disadvantage, but just as the fourth player returned to the pitch, Yulian Tovkach scored the equaliser! 6–6

There were no further goals before the final whistle, so it was on to 3×3 extra time for the golden goal!

A minute in, we were presented with a great opportunity when one of the Slovak players was sent off, allowing us to attack 4 against 3 for two minutes. Although we failed to capitalise on our first clear-cut chance, Bendegúz Jábor’s precise finish secured not only the match but also victory in the semi-final against last year’s runners-up!

Come on, UNI GYŐR ETO!

UNI GYŐR ETO HC vs GLADIATORS TRENCIN (Game 3): 7 – 5 (EUHL Play-offs) Goalscorers: **#37 Barnabás Majoross, #21 Nikita Bogdanov, #7 Martin Sipák (4), #15 Bence Dézsi (UNI GYŐR ETO) **#11 Skvarka (2), #20 Osvald (2), #27 Vonkomer (GLADIATORS) UNI GYŐR ETO HC vs GLADIATORS TRENCIN (IV.): 7 – 6 (HU) (EUHL Play-offs) Goalscorers: **#21 Nikita Bogdanov, #18 Benedek Madácsi (2), #19 Dániel Csölle, #97 István Szűcs, #21 Yulian Tovkach, #17 Bendegúz Jábor (UNI GYŐR ETO) **#68 Kassa (2), #9 Janosik, #20 Osvald (2), #37 Husar (GLADIATORS)

We’ve put together a selection of the best photos from the match in our gallery:

Photo: Dr Krisztina Németh-Csigai

25 March 2025

26 March 2025