Martin Fehervary continued to be a minutes-eater for Slovakia in the team’s second game at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday.
The 26-year-old defender skated 23:51 of ice time in his nation’s 3-2 win over the host Italian team. Fehervary has averaged 22:57 of ice time over the two games, which ranks first among all Slovak skaters and currently eighth overall in the tournament.
The Slovaks prevailed after getting goals from Libor Hudacek, Matus Sukel, and Adam Ruzicka. They never trailed in the game and fended off a late push by the Italians, which saw the hosts score an extra attacker goal with 3:35 remaining in regulation.
Fehervary finished the game with a minus-1 rating and one shot on goal. He had a slight injury scare when Italian forward Cristiano DiGiacinto connected with his head on a hit during the second period. The play was reviewed for a major penalty, but was ruled a two-minute minor for an “illegal check to the head or neck.”
“I don’t feel ideal, but hockey is a tough sport,” Fehervary told STV’s Patrik Mitas, as translated via Google Translate. “I don’t think it’s fair, especially when it’s on your head. I’m glad I finished the game.”
Fehervary did not miss a shift after taking the head contact.
Slovakia moved to the top of Group B with the win, as the only team in the group to go undefeated through two games. They’ll wrap up preliminary play against Sweden on Saturday.
