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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.
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.