ARTICLE

Stankoven’s Late Game-Winner Wins Slovakia Important Game

Aug 12, 2025 | Adam Chawner, Foto: Slovenský svaz ledního hokeje

On the second day of Group B action in Trenčín, Slovakia faced a must-win game against Germany to stay in contention for the semi-finals. The game looked destined for overtime, until Matěj Stankoven scored a lucky goal just over a minute before the end, giving Slovakia a 1:0 win and their first win of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Game #2  •  Tu 12.8.2025  •  19:00
Slovakia
1:0
( 0:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Germany
Slovakia: Čelko (Hrenák) – Goljer, Maršálek, Floriš, Kovalčík, Černák, Dedík, Baran – Tariška, Hybský, Ozogány – Bernát, Kubat, Matta – Rausa, Stankoven, Rezničák – Ďurčo, Lukáčik, Plančár – Kopačka.
Germany: A. Röckl (Pitaev) – Rolsing, Pizka, Mayer, Augst, Gerhofer, Kettler, Hackert – Krestan, Geppert, Permitin – Michel, Penkin, Schwarz – Kuhn, Becker, Schlager – Schlossnikel, Lell, Peterka – Wolfsteiner.
Goals and assists: 59. Stankoven (Floriš, Ďurčo)
Shots: 44:22 (14:6, 17:6, 15:10).
Penalties: 6:6. PP goals: 0:0. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Jobbágy, Konc – Tvrdoň, Pribula. Attendance: 2861.

Report

The late start at 19:20 local time energized the home team. Lucian Bernát and Michal Plančár both had early chances, but couldn't finish. Germany survived a powerplay against and tested Slovak goalie Čelko just before the first break.

In the second period, Slovakia pressed again. Despite strong efforts from Tariška, Maršálek and a close-range shot from Alexej Kubát, Röckl stood firm in the German net.

Slovakia opened the third with a powerplay but couldn’t score. Soon after, Röckl misjudged a stray puck and left the net vulnerable, giving Samuel Hybský a near empty-net chance, but the goalie recovered with a brisk return and a brilliant save. Germany later had a 5-on-3 opportunity but also came up empty-handed.

The breakthrough came with just 1:11 left. Baran fired from the wing and Stankoven followed up with a rebound shot that deflected off a German defender and into the net. Slovakia held on and kept their semi-final hopes alive.

In brief

The playoffs begin

15.8. - The playoffs and battles for placement in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup begin today. Who will make it to the finals? Read the preview here.

End of groups

14.8. - The group stage is over. Who made it to the semifinals? Read here.

Second day

13.8. - The teams have completed their second day of play, which saw the groups become more dramatic. Read more here.
History of the hockey legend

Information about Ivan Hlinka

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