BRATISLAVA. “We are very happy to be advancing to the Olympics. We have played some difficult matches in the last few days. It is great that we managed them and met our goal, “said the captain of the Slovak hockey team Marek Hrivík.
Slovak hockey players won theirs after a 2: 1 triumph over Belarus qualification group and advanced to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Peter Cehlárik and Marek Hrivík took care of an important opening goal.
In the power play, the Slovaks created pressure and after a nice combination of former teammates from Leksand, Sweden, Cehlárik made his mark with the first shot.
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“It’s great that we got the opportunity to play together again. It was a lot of fun. I think we’ve played about 70 matches together.
We trained it from Leksand, where we played it on similar shots from the first. We are glad that it worked out for us, “said Cehlárik.
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They kept a cool head
Before the match, it was expected that the Belarusians could play insidious places in places. This was confirmed especially at the end of the match.
Even after the final whistle, they tried to provoke a fight. Coach Craig Ramsay calmed down the pitch.
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“They had a good team. We knew they would play hard. They fought the whole match and sometimes they also had more insidious interventions. We tried to keep a cool head.
We followed our tactics. In the end, it was a bit nervous, but we were able to maintain control over the match, “said Hrivík.
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The Belarusians equalized in the second period thanks to Yegor Sharangovic, who works in the New Jersey Devils. In the third part of the game, the nervousness on their side escalated. They knew they needed to win in good time.
“It simply came to our notice then. Of course, there were emotions, but the fans pushed us forward the whole time. I’m glad that they created a great atmosphere and we were able to stop it in the game, “said Cehlárik.
Conrad showed his qualities
After the failure at the World Championships in Riga, the Belarusian hockey players had to deal with another unsuccessful tournament.
Some of the interventions they performed during the match were due to their frustration. According to Hrivík, they already expected a dirty game on their part before the matches.
“We knew they had a few players on the team who professed this style of hockey. They also played in the league. Cehl and I experienced it. We expected them to try to decide us.
They often played into the body. However, I am proud of the boys that they did not let themselves be decided and did not let themselves be unnecessarily excluded, “said Hrivík.
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The Slovaks could rely on the stable performances of goalkeeper Branislav Konrád throughout the tournament.
He always collected only one goal in three matches and has a significant share in the progress of Slovak hockey players to the Beijing Olympics.
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“Once again he showed that he is an exceptionally good and experienced goalkeeper. This success is largely due to him. We are glad that we have a goalkeeper like him in the national team, “praised Konráda, the team captain.
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They got together in just a few days
The young rifles Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec left a good impression. They confirmed good performances from the World Championships in Riga. Both scored one point for assistance.
“It simply came to our notice then. They have moved up a level since the championship. Juraj was strong and dominant in the puck. He gave some good passes when he got the boys into chances. It shows in the best light, “said Hrivík.
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Compared to the Austrians, Poles and Belarusians, the Slovaks had less time to play. They met only a week before the tournament and did not play any preparatory match.
However, this was far from visible in their performances. From a tactical point of view, they played precisely. Especially on the defensive, they were able to push their opponents out of goal positions.
“It was not easy to get together in a few days. However, they all held their positions. It was probably not what people wanted.
The victories were important. Now we can build a team towards the Olympics and I believe that we will show it in a better light, “said Cehlárik.
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