today 18:39
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Before the upcoming Olympic qualification, the Slovak national hockey team met in Bratislava in its complete composition.
At the meeting of Sunday, coach Craig Ramsay welcomed all 25 nominated players (three goalkeepers, nine defenders and thirteen forwards) who, after entering the closed “bubble”, opened a joint camp with evening training at the Ondrej Nepel Ice Stadium.
From Thursday, August 26, he will be the venue for the qualifying tournament for one place at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to Slovakia, the national teams of Austria, Poland and Belarus will also fight for promotion.
HOW IS LIBOR HUDÁČEK?
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Libor Hudáček
Source: instagram.com/neftekhimik_hc/
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The Slovak national team suddenly came motivated, several have already played several preparatory matches in their clubs. Among them was the striker Libor Hudáček, who at the end of 2019 scored his 100th and 101st start in the national team, but has since been absent from the national team’s camp. Whether due to the unfavorable pandemic situation that paralyzed international hockey events, or due to a serious injury that robbed him in March not only of the end of the season in the Swiss HC Lausanne, but also of the World Championships in Riga.
“Every national team meeting and match is a challenge. I’m glad I’m finally here. I’ll try to help the team as much as possible. Mir Satan and I first agreed to call in early August and then after a few preparatory matches and see how it goes. In the end, I timed everything well and I’m here. “ he told hockeyslovakia.sk a 30-year-old striker who returned to the Neftechimik Nizhnekamsk jersey in the off-season.
He left the KHL team at the end of February after Neftechimik did not advance to the playoffs and the season ended for him. Hudáček transferred to HC Lausanne, with whom he wanted to play for the title in the Swiss league. After a few days, however, he unhappily broke his leg.
“The leg went to the plaster first, then the verdict was changed and I went for surgery. Screws were mounted in my bone. I talked about crutches for three months, which was a big news for me. I haven’t had any significant injuries so far. But I’m here and we’re determined to do everything we can to have fun for a week on Sunday. “ added Hudáček.
CEHLÁRIK STRESSED A SINGLE OBJECTIVE
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Ice Hockey World Championship 2021: Slovakia – Czech Republic: Captain Peter Cehlárik (Slovakia)
Source: TASR
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Peter Cehlárik, the best forward of the last World Championships in Riga, also came from Avangard Omsk to strengthen the Slovak national team. “We played a match with Dinam Moscow on Thursday. I flew on Friday, came to a meeting on Sunday. Our mission is to get to the Olympics. That’s the only goal.” stressed the 26-year-old winger, who is ready to take on the role of team leader.
He caught it at the Riga Championships, where he scored 11 points in eight duels for five goals and six assists: “I believe that we will play in a similar line-up, respectively formation with the guys, with whom it worked great for us in Riga. And I also believe that we will transfer the form from Riga to the qualification. Everyone is motivated. We start the new season with a big event we want to succeed. I’m very much looking forward to it. “
Part of the team was preparing together last week in Zvolen under the leadership of assistant coach Andrej Podkonický. The goalkeeper Adam Húska, the defenders Martin Fehérváry and Christián Jaroš, the attackers Marko Daňo, Tomáš Jurčo, Adam Ružička and Marián Studenič, the goalkeeper Roman Durný helped the team in an unofficial camp.
The first match at the final tournament of the Olympic qualification awaits the Slovak national team on Thursday, when it will start at 7.15 pm against Austria. A day later, he will meet with Poland (7.15 pm) and on Sunday he will end his performance with a duel with Belarus (5.30 pm).
Cadre of the Slovak Republic for the final tournament of the Olympic qualification in Bratislava:
Goalkeepers: Adam Húska (Hartford Wolf Pack, USA / AHL), Branislav Konrád (HC Olomouc, Czech Republic), Patrik Rybár (Dinamo Minsk, Biel./KHL)
Defenders: Peter Čerešňák (HC Plzeň, Czech Republic), Marek Ďaloga (HC Kometa Brno, Czech Republic), Martin Fehérváry (Washington Capitals, USA / NHL), Martin Gernát (HC Lausanne, Switzerland), Mário Grman (HPK Hämmenlina, Finland), Christián Jaroš (New Jersey Devils, USA / NHL), Samuel Kňažko (TPS Turku, FIN), Martin Marinčin (HC Oceláři Třinec, Czech Republic), Šimon Nemec (HK Nitra)
Attackers: Peter Cehlárik (Avangard Omsk, Rus./KHL), Marko Daňo (without club), Dávid Gríger (Bílí Tygři Liberec, ČR), Marek Hrivík (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Rus./KHL), Libor Hudáček (Neftechimik Nizhnekamsk, Rus. / KHL), Tomáš Jurčo (without club), Miloš Kelemen (BK Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic), Róbert Lantoši (Rögle BK, Sweden), Kristián Pospíšil (Lukko Rauma, Finland), Miloš Roman (HC Oceláři Třinec, Czech Republic) , Adam Ružička (Calgary Flames, Kan./NHL), Juraj Slafkovský (TPS Turku, FIN.), Marián Studenič (New Jersey Devils, USA / NHL)
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D-group qualification program ZOH 2022:
Thursday, August 26
15.15 Belarus – Poland
19.15 Austria – SLOVAKIA
Friday, August 27
15.15 Belarus – Austria
19.15 SLOVAKIA – Poland
Sunday, August 29
13.30 Austria – Poland
17.30 SLOVAKIA – Belarus
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