BRATISLAVA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- After humiliation in Game 4 on Monday, HC Slovan Bratislava bounced back in Game 5 on Thursday, crushing HK Nitra 5-1 to close their best-of-seven series at 4-1 and enter the Slovak ice-hockey playoffs semifinals.
Bratislava became the third semifinalist in the Tipos Extraliga playoffs following HK Poprad and HKM Zvolen.
After three straight defeats in the series, Nitra managed to win Game 4 by utilizing non-sport weapons like instigating fights. But in Game 5, Slovan kept its cool and did not allow its focus to get undermined. Halfway through, the home team was up 3-0.
"We knew that it would be a tough battle. We handled the previous match poorly, that's why we approached this one with full focus. I am glad we succeed," said Slovan coach Robert Doeme. Enditem
