BRATISLAVA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Defending ice hockey champion HC iClinic Banska Bystrica has started the playoff round of Slovak Tipsport Liga with a 5-0 victory in local derby against HC Detva.
After a goalless first period, the defending champions scored four goals through Zigo (two goals), Sloboda and Lunter. Faille added one in the last period to wrap up the 5-0 win for Banska Bystrica.
HKM Zvolen, the team ranked second place after the regular season, had a great start as well, beating Hungarian team MAC Budapest 4-0 at home.
Zvolen led 2-0 after the frist period thanks to goals from Petras and Mitchell. Despite the better performance of Budapest in the second and the third period, Zvolen managed to add two more goals to secure the victory.
The game two of playoff's first round will be played on Sunday.
