Banska Bystrica crowned Tipsport Liga champion despite shortened season

BRATISLAVA -- Banska Bystrica were crowned the champions of the 2019/20 Tipsport Liga season on Thursday after the Slovak ice hockey league council decided to cancel the remainder of the season on Wednesday following the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The governing body of Slovakia's premier ice hockey league decided upon the final standings of the shortened season, respecting Banska Bystrica's dominant 12-point lead.

After being awarded the Dusan Pasek trophy for their triumph in the regular season, the team from the central region of the country also claims the Vladimir Dzurilla Cup traditionally awarded to the winner of the playoffs.

As a result, Banska Bystrica become the first club in Tipsport Liga's history to win four consecutive championship titles.

This historic triumph automatically qualifies the "Rams" for the upcoming Champions League season played by Europe's top hockey teams.

After leaving the Continental Hockey League and returning to the Slovak Tipsport Liga, Slovan Bratislava finished in second place, Kosice Hockey Club placed third in the 2019/2020 season.

"According to the rules and regulations of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation, the goal of playing ice hockey is to acquire a sporting result or compare sporting performances. This is how we motivate the players and teams to strive for the best possible performances and results. Therefore we have decided to award the participants in the shortened season," announced the federation on Thursday.