The triple crown

Banská Bystrica dominated again the season in Slovakia, winning the third consecutive title, equaling the record held by Kosice, champion between 2008 ad 2011. After two titles under coach Vladimir Orszagh, now at Slovan Bratislava, the club signed 45-years-old Canadian Dan Ceman in the summer, at the first experience in Slovakia after 5 seasons and two titles in Denmark with  SønderjyskE.  Despite a disappointing campaign in Champions Hockey League - finished last in Group H with a single victory -  the club won the regular season four points ahead of Zvolen and five on Nitra; in the post-season Banská Bystrica eliminated Detva and Poprad before facing Nitra in the finals, as in the first title season, closing the series in 5 games, with a single defeat at shootout and a decisive 6-2 in game 5, infront of a sold-out arena. It was the first edition of Extraliga with the addition of two top Hungarian teams, DVTK Miskolc and MAC Budapest, finished 8th and 9th in the regular season and facing each others in playoffs qualification. MAC won the seed before to be knocked out in the quarter finals by Zvolen.

Canadian forward Eric Faille, at his second season in the club, finished as top scorer: "Undescribable feelings, the same as last year with my first title with Bystrica. Last year we wanted to win a trophy in front of our fans, it was only this year. We won the title because we were consistent, we always work together, it was our strongest weapon."

Coach Dan Ceman: "It's unbelievable. The guys deserve recognition, they showed the character in the play off and the final series"

Captain Tomas Surovy"We are very happy that we managed to win the league again this year. It's amazing having three titles in a row. It is the result of the club's everyday work over the years"

Small consolation for Nitra, the award won by young forward Samuel Bucek as most useful player in the playoffs

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