Fargo Force Alan Lendak Named Player Of The Game At World Juniors For Slovakia

Game number one of the 2026 World Juniors kicked off on Friday afternoon with Sweden downing Slovakia 3-2 at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 

Slovakian goaltender Alan Lendak was named player of the game for Slovakia after turning aside 29-of-32 shots faced on the afternoon. Lendak kept Slovakia in the game, turning away a breakaway in the first period and stopping an Anton Frondell one-timer in the second period. 

Slovakia’s Preliminary Roster ‘One Of The Youngest In World Junior History’Slovakia unveils a remarkably youthful World Junior squad, loaded with 2006, '07, and '08 talent, aiming for competitive greatness against seasoned opponents.

Last year in Ottawa, Ontario, at the 2025 World Juniors, Lendak appeared in two games, going 0-2-0, with a 6.10 against-average and 0.767 save percentage. Lendak appeared once in the round robin against Czechia in a 4-2 loss, then was tasked with starting in the quarterfinals against Finland but was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots. 

Lendak is currently in his second season in the United States Hockey League, playing with the Fargo Force. Through 11 games this season, Lendak has posted a 5-6-0 record, 2.45 goals-against average and 0.915 save percentage, as the Force find themselves second place in the Western Conference with a record of 15-10-1-1. 

In Lendak’s first season with the Force, the netminder started 40 games, going 20-17-2 with a 2.97 goals-against average and 0.895 save percentage, helping lead the Force to a fifth-place finish in the West. 

Both of the goaltenders expected to receive playing time at the 2026 World Juniors are products of the USHL. The backup today was Michal Pradel of the Tri-City Storm, who has posted a 9-9-3 record, 2.46 goal-against average and 0.916 save percentage through 23 games.

Tri-City Storm Goaltender Michal Pradel Takes Strong First Half To Minnesota For World JuniorsMichal Pradal is tied for USHL lead with three shutouts

Slovakia is back in action on Saturday afternoon to take on Germany at 1 p.m. CST.