Mahkovec secured the Dragons' first victory in the upcoming matches.

In a tightly contested match ahead of the new season, HK Olimpija narrowly defeated German second division side EV Landshut with a score of 3:2 during a preparatory game held in Ljubljana. The victory marked Olimpija's first win in their series of pre-season matches, following two consecutive losses against Celje and Pustertal. The game took place before a well-filled audience at the Tivoli arena, where Olimpija will begin its campaign in the IceHL league on September 18 in Budapest. Meanwhile, HD Jesenice secured their third victory in three games after defeating KHL Sisak in overtime with a score of 5:4. The match against Landshut started with the Germans taking an early lead in the 16th minute through Paul Mayer. However, Olimpija quickly responded in the 23rd minute with a goal from rookie Josh Lawrence, equalizing the score. In the second period, T.J. Brennan, who was named MVP of the regular season last year, gave Olimpija the lead in the 34th minute. Just two minutes later, David Elsner scored for Landshut, bringing the game back to parity at 2:2. Olimpija's decisive goal came in the 48th minute, with Marcel Mahkovec scoring after receiving assists from Brennan and Žiga Jeglič while playing with a numerical advantage. Despite being outplayed in the final moments, Landshut failed to find the equalizer. Tobi Schwarz and Marco Roy both had chances but were denied by goalkeeper Lukaš Horák, who made crucial saves to preserve the lead. Olimpija's preparations continue with upcoming matches scheduled for Friday against ICE Beljaku and another preparatory tournament in Bremen the following week. The team has been working through injuries, with Zach Boychuk, Blaž Gregorc, and Žiga Pance resting due to previous commitments. Bine Mašič and Luka Gomboc are still recovering from injuries and undergoing rehabilitation. HD Jesenice extended their winning streak to three games after defeating KHL Sisak in overtime. Their earlier victories included two wins over KAC Future Team with scores of 4:1 each. The match against Sisak saw Jesenice face a determined Croatian opponent, but they managed to secure the win in extra time with a score of 5:1. The teams are set to meet again soon, with Sisak scheduled to host Jesenice in the following week. The game will take place at the Podmežakla arena, which will be open to spectators, according to the club's announcement. Both Olimpija and HD Jesenice have been actively preparing for the new season, participating in preparatory matches to fine-tune their strategies and assess player readiness. These games serve as crucial opportunities for coaches to evaluate team dynamics and make necessary adjustments before the official start of the season. With key players returning from injury and others gaining experience through these matches, both teams aim to enter the new season with confidence and momentum. The outcomes of these preparatory matches provide valuable insights into the teams' current form and potential challenges they might face in the upcoming season. As the competition approaches, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how these performances translate into success on the ice. Both teams have shown resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in their respective leagues.