HK Dukla Trenčín defeated HK Nitra 5–2 at Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium on October 9, 2026, handing the defending champions their sixth loss of the Tipsport liga season behind a three-point performance from Jaedon Descheneau and Ture Linden.
The visiting side arrived under pressure following a rocky start to their title defense. Nitra fell behind immediately when the home team struck in the opening minute. Travis Barron opened the scoring at the 1:00 mark, assisted by Jakub Ferenc and Mikuš, setting the tone for an aggressive offensive display from the hosts.
Trenčín Builds an Early Three-Goal Cushion
The home side capitalized on early momentum to stretch their lead before the first intermission. Jaedon Descheneau found the back of the net at 11:00, taking feeds from Dominik Lakatoš and Ture Linden to make it 2–0. Nitra struggled to establish control in the early stages, prompting an early timeout as the visitors tried to regroup under head coach Erik Čaládi.
We had a very bad start. Everything we discussed and prepared for since yesterday stayed in the locker room. We only started playing again when we were down by three goals. Erik
Descheneau struck again at 23:00, extending the margin to 3–0 off an assist from Linden. Nitra responded through Artur Turanský at 24:00 with help from Jakub Lacka and Brett Pollock, before Marko Stacha brought the visitors within one at 30:00.
Referees Lesay and Krajčík oversaw the fixture alongside linesmen Orolin and Vystavil, monitoring a physical match that saw the penalty count reach 1 to 5 minor infractions. Netminder Dávid Hrenák anchored the home crease for the entire sixty minutes while facing persistent pressure from visiting forwards, whereas Marinov guarded the opposite net before 2,876 paying spectators inside the venue. Following Turanský’s strike that cut the deficit, the visitors briefly threatened to equalize before the second intermission arrived. However, the hosts reasserted control in the offensive zone before the period horn sounded.
Late Goals Secure Victory for Todd Woodcroft’s Squad
Any hopes of a full comeback were dismantled late in the middle frame. Dominik Lakatoš scored at 39:00, burying a setup from Descheneau to restore a two-goal cushion at 4–2. In the third period, Ture Linden capped the scoring during a power play at 49:00, firing past the goaltender with assists from Ryan Merkley and Dominik Lakatoš in front of 2,876 spectators.
We faced last season's championship team. And it sometimes happens to champions that they start the new season with difficulties. Nitra also plays in the Champions Hockey League. Todd
The win marks Trenčín’s fifth victory in their last six outings, lifting them to 15 points in the standings. Nitra remains mired near the bottom of the league table with six points through nine matches, balancing domestic play alongside their commitments in the Champions Hockey League.