Ružinov Amateur Hockey League 2

A roller coaster of a game with a happy ending. Ice Punkers beat Black Wings 7:5 in RAHL3 after a real goal chase. The main driving force was Patrik Bučič, who contributed 2+2 to the win. In the interview he openly admitted that the opponent bit back much harder than they had expected. After a weaker start to the season, the league newcomers are coming to life thanks to their winter additions and have wiped out a huge points deficit. Their fate will now be decided in a head-to-head game for a place in the top four that advances.

For long seasons they were in the background, but this year Knights are writing a different story. After a shocking 8:1 win over leader Hockey For All, they have one foot in the playoffs. The architect of the success was František Polák, who fired four goals past the opponent. Read what is behind the team's revival, how the new additions have fit in and why, ahead of the key game against Royals, they even believe they can reach third place in the standings.

Five points, a hat trick and a clear 7:1 win. Alexander Ftáčnik had his day against Mad Vipers, but he is not turning the success into a one-man show. In the interview he raised a smile by comparing his partnership with Nikolas Ketner to NHL stars (in a "slightly" slowed-down version) and revealed that honest “Ružinov pickup games” are also behind his form. Read why he thinks 3rd place in the standings is deserved and whom he named as the savior of the game.

The offensive drought is a thing of the past. Team Beers enjoyed a real scoring spree in the first round after Christmas and, in a game that produced a full 11 goals, pushed past Knights. The lion's share of the credit goes to Michal Hlinka, who added an assist to his hat trick and became Player of the Week. Thanks to the win, Beers moved closer to the playoff zone, but Michal is keeping his feet on the ground. Read what he thinks decided the result and why they are looking forward to the Pohár nádeje as well.

The on-paper predictions in RAHL3 went up in smoke in the opening minutes. Night Riders caught standings leader HC LEV Senec off guard with a lightning start, and by the 5th minute the scoreboard already read 3:0. The hero of the game was Peter Kožuch, who shone with a hat trick and sealed the newcomers' spot in the elimination stage for good. In our interview he told us what was behind their success, why they respect one team in particular, and what the hat trick is going to cost his wallet in the locker room.

A goal fest in RAHL1 produced not only 11 goals but also a new Player of the Week. In a crucial game against Mad Vipers, Vladimír Lantoš went 2+2 and kept Neanderthals theoretically alive in the race for the top eight. In a candid interview, however, the former professional doesn’t just assess the 6:5 win – he takes a critical look back at his suspension from the start of the season and frankly admits whether his team even deserves the playoffs this year.

Frosty air, fast ice and emotions within arm’s reach. This Saturday, 31 January, Hlohovec becomes the venue for a special celebration of hockey. The municipal rink on Bezručova Street will welcome the RAHL Winter Classic, an event that pulls players and fans out of the routine of indoor arenas and brings hockey in its purest, rawest form. A lot is at stake in the three games across all league levels: from a fight for sheer survival in the season to the definitive confirmation of championship ambitions.

HC LEV Senec has a terrific November behind it. 5 games, 5 wins and form that commands respect. Michal Maličký left a big mark on that run, piling up 17 points (9+8) in November and becoming the scoring leader of all of RAHL3. In the interview he looked back on the season so far, talked about being surprised by his individual numbers, singled out goaltender Aďo Nogely and said plainly how he sees the playoffs for his team.