Hockey Clubs in Slovakia Struggle with Wave of Illness and Injuries

The Tipos extraliga clubs from Michaloviec and Humenného had to deal with a double-digit number of absent players in recent days.

They had huge problems with the formation of the lineup already in the first meeting of the New Year. Hockey players from Michaloviec started Wednesday’s regional derby in Humenno in a completely improvised line-up.

“We assembled it about every two hours. The boys went from hospital to hospital. The results were varied. We were missing 15 players on Tuesday, a little less on Wednesday. Even those who played the match can barely stand on their feet. It’s a big victory for us,” said Michaloviec coach Peter Kúdelka after the Zemplin derby and the 1:0 win in extra time.

Due to extensive damage, the team did not start the match against Košice on Friday. The league council of the extra league suspended him. It should take place on an alternate date, no later than 30 days after the original date of the duel.

On Sunday, the Michalovci – again at home against Košice – decided to play. But again with a decent torso.

They are flushed after high fevers

They were missing up to 13 players. Five were eliminated by injury (Newton, Acolatse, Bindulis, Pearson, Santos) and up to eight by illness (Škorvánek, Gajan, Macejko, Marcinko, Heard, Puliš, Suja, Zabusovs). In addition, defender Milan Pišoja, who represented Slovakia at the recent under-20 World Cup, also dropped out right at the start. A broken arm took him out of the game.

The weakened Michalovce lost 1:2 to the reigning champion, who is experiencing a deep crisis of results. Their only accurate hit was scored by 18-year-old Róbert Fedor, who is also playing for Trebiš in the Slovak Hockey League this season.

Just like four days before, several young people skated on the ice in Michal’s jersey. Among them is Ivan Matta, who will only turn 16 on January 11.

They currently have to improvise with the lineup in Michalovci. Source: TASR

“It’s the Zemplin plague that lasts for three days. Two are very intense, with temperatures of 39.5 °C. Then it goes away, but the players are ‘blown away’.” described Kúdelka.

After the fight with Košice, he praised his charges despite the loss.

“I am extremely proud of them. In a desolate state of health, they were able to be a balanced opponent of the very high-quality Košice. There was a bit of luck missing in the end and we didn’t have to leave empty-handed.” claimed the Michalov coach.

VIDEO: Highlights from the Michalovce – Košice match

They are grateful for the first league help

In recent days, the players of Humenné, which is less than 30 km from Michaloviec, have also suffered extreme health problems.

In the cabin of the extra-league newcomer, a viral disease also began to shrivel up significantly. Since before Friday’s match in Spišská Nová Ves, Humen did not meet the deadline for submitting a request to postpone the match – at least 48 hours before its start – they traveled to it without 11 players, with less than three formations.

The poor health situation in the squad continued over the weekend, but the team also had to play Sunday’s home match against Spišiak. The League Council of the Extraliga did not comply with the request to postpone the meeting. Humenne lacked a double-digit number (10) of players again. He was helped by the trio of Ťavoda, Chalupa and Tom from the first league Prešov, as well as Adamko from Trebišov.

news-item-description">Extraleague team HC 19 Humenné hired Canadian forward Ryan Foss. The club reported about it on social networks.

The weakened last team of the table tormented the sovereign leader this time as well. In both cases, Humenné lost exactly 1:3. On Friday, they conceded a breakthrough goal, in a 1:1 tie, in the 55th minute, and on Sunday a minute earlier.

“I will not comment on the match. Thanks guys for a fantastic performance. I would also like to thank Prešov, the management and the players for coming. If that didn’t happen and we didn’t get 4 players out of bed, we would start with two fives. Even though we lost, I’m glad it was 1:3 and not 1:13,” announced Humenné’s coach Martin Štrba.

League board: Medical certificates were missing

The governing body of the competition discussed Humenné’s request to postpone Sunday’s match to Saturday. He decided unanimously on the negative opinion. Why?

“The league council of the extra league notes that the HC 19 Humenné club submitted a list of 11 players of the senior age category on 5/1/2024 (including 1 player of the junior category) and on 6/1/2024 a list of another 3 players of the senior age category, but all without relevant medical certificates,” it is stated in decision published on the website hockeyslovakia.sk.

The club was invited to strictly apply the recommendation of the RÚVZ in Humenno towards sick players.

“At the same time, the league council requests HC 19 Humenné to submit a new application, relevant medical certificates about the illness of at least 13 players of the senior age category and documentation/decision of the RÚVZ in accordance with the Guidelines by 9/1/2024 in the event of continued illness of the team.” it is written further in the document.

The next extra league round is scheduled for Friday, January 12. Humenné will be in Nové Zámky in the battle between the last two teams in the table, while Michalovce will host Banská Bystrica.

2024-01-08 12:40:00
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