Peter Kosa’s Goalkeeper Selection Leads Slovakia to Success at IIHF 2021 World Cup

He gradually changed the decision, and for the first time in the new millennium, the coaches took three goalkeepers from the extra league to the World Cup. So far, it’s proving to be the right choice. Stanislav Škorvánek picked up a win with Latvia and Samuel Hlavaj shined against Canada, securing a valuable point for the team.

Fighting the pressure as a rookie is extreme, we want to spread the burden among the guys, says goalkeeper coach PETER KOSA

So far, you have selected the goalkeepers for the matches brilliantly. What can you say about that?

“It is not an easy process to make the right decision when choosing a goalkeeper. We try to analyze and predict some things. I believe that our decisions will be correct during the remaining matches in the championship.”

You kept it a secret until the last moment who would start in goal at the World Cup. You must have been convinced of Stanislav Škorvánek for a long time.

“We said in advance that we don’t have a defined unit. There is no hierarchy like when you have a sovereign goalkeeper. We dealt with different variants of how to go to the tournament. The plan may have been different originally, but we are glad that our decisions turned out to be the right ones. We would take four points from three games ahead. In the end, it might not be enough for us, because we could have taken points from the Czech Republic as well.”

Škorvánek also admitted that the three-goal first period of the opening match against the Czechs did not work out for him when he was nervous. Haven’t you considered a change?

“No, we believed him. The question of substitution did not even arise. Stano famously returned to the match. The goalkeeper also needs luck, he tried and got it on his side. He was our best player against Latvia and got us three points. We just like how the guys work, that’s why we nominated them.

They lack experience on international ice, but they fight in training, are hungry for the puck, humble to work and alert at all times. We want them to be mentally strong and fully focused on their work. Self-confidence must be transferred to the next matches.”

Goalkeeper Michaloviec repeated that the most difficult thing was to get used to the fact that there are fewer shots on him than in the extra league, but almost all of them are difficult. Do you stress to him how important every save is in the tournament?

“Our game system is also created so that we attack more. Then, perhaps from excessive effort, fouls or overcounting occur. Subsequently, the goalkeeper has fewer easy shots that will get him or keep him in the match and is, on the contrary, confronted with raids, outnumbering and a weakened game. It is very hard. But that’s what the goalkeeper is there for, he has to deal with it and support the team. He needs to read the game, find the puck and evaluate the situation correctly. However, it must be said that the boys help the goalkeepers and are selfless.”

Was Samuel Hlavaj a clear choice for the match with Canada also because he is big and has experience in overseas hockey?

“We had a different plan at first, but we decided this way. We threw ourselves into the water and he famously swam in it. Canada has an aggressive style, their players screen in front of the goal, they have shots from the first. Samo is a big goalkeeper who covers a large part of the goal. We were surprised how he developed and progressed in terms of mobility and athleticism.

It will withstand international criteria. The first big chance from the Canadians came in the weakening, where he covered a large part of the goal, later in the third period he kept his body in a difficult gap. He struggled with stops. In addition, he is mentally strong and has already entered the meeting very well.”

It probably helped him that Canada often shot on goal right from the start.

“Yes, it’s always better for the goalkeeper. The initial nervousness immediately subsides when he is under fire and not thinking. This is exactly what we need, so that the goalkeeper does not think, gets into his zone and uses his instincts. The match has to draw him in and he shouldn’t care who he’s playing against. He should be set in his head that he is going to enjoy it, stop the puck and other things do not interest him. One hundred percent concentration is essential.”

Did you suffer the most in the second period, when the Canadians had 18 shots?

“Of course, I was also experiencing it and I was in the match until the end. I really wanted to win, as we had dramatic duels with Canada this year. Both the 18th and 20th lost after extra time, and we were again so close to defeating a similar giant. But I will return to the second third. Samo is physically mature in good condition, but it was seen that he had enough in some situations. However, he still fought, but it was not seen that he underestimated something or was not in control.

Hockey World Cup 2023: Slovakia – Canada (Samuel Hlavaj’s intervention)

Source: TASR

Hlavaj admitted that he was having convulsions. What will help the goalkeeper in these moments?

“It depends where the spasm gets. As long as it is in the thigh areas, it is better. The calf is already a problem in equipment and skates. The goalkeeper needs to relax, stretch, replenish magnesium. He is assisted by physiotherapists and a fitness trainer. But the most important thing is the head. If it allows you, the body will allow it.”

Is the fight for the unit still open?

“These are pleasant problems, nobody expected them. We believed that this scenario would occur. On the one hand, you like how the guys work, on the other hand, they made it difficult for us. We will evaluate the situations and make the best possible decision for the team. The opening three matches were very demanding both physically and mentally. Dealing with pressure from a rookie position is difficult. That’s why we want the burden to be spread.”

In such a demanding tournament, when teams play seven matches in twelve days, it is probably important to have two goalkeepers in the game.

“Yes, it’s a new experience for the guys, but you have to get it somewhere. We want to support them mentally, give them the necessary information for matches, so that they are physically and mentally prepared and well regenerated.”

Although the team continues to commit many offensive fouls, the defense has improved significantly compared to preparation. How about that?

“Now we know what it is about. Mistakes in preparation also helped us from the point of view that they could be corrected. Whether it was errors in defensive throw-ins or in the offensive zone. With the arrival of Pať Koch, Miš Ivan, Majo Grman and Adam Jánošík, defensive defenders came who have a strong character and sacrificed themselves.

Feri Gajdoš should not be forgotten either. Also, our more offensive defenders block many shots with great courage, they want to help the goalkeepers. The forwards are also coming back well. We want to replace our possibly lesser individual quality with combativeness and passion. Now more fouls are whistled, which costs a lot of energy. We need to improve on that for the next stage of the tournament.”

You are a calm type, but you are not afraid of difficult decisions. In your twenties, you pulled out Adam Gajan at the last moment, who became the best goalkeeper of the junior championship. Now you did not hesitate to exchange Matej Tomek or Šimon Latkóczy for Dominik Riečický. Are you not afraid of tougher decisions?

“You can’t be afraid. If I were like that, I am not worthy of this position. The guys and I have long-standing, above-standard personal relationships. There is respect and trust between us. The guys know me and know who I am. I try to be fair and honest at the same time. Even partial failure is not bad, quite the opposite. It’s a lesson to learn from so that you can do better next time and benefit from it in the long run.

I spoke with Matej Tomek, Šimon Latkóczy, and Dávid Hrenák. As Janko Lašák says, the team is a living organism. Loss of sports form, health indisposition, other personal problem may occur. Sometimes things have to work out for you, which you don’t know in advance. Whether it was with Adam Gajan before, or now with the guys. At this championship, we wanted to have extra-league playoff experience, combativeness, the right head setting and the necessary sports form.

An example is the past, when Rasťo Staňa made a great double for Ján Lašák and created a great environment for him. He didn’t hurt him and didn’t hurt his legs. We see it here as well, whether in preparation or now. The guys work together, treat each other. Dominik Riečický is in the room with Stan Škorvánek and helps him to be successful. I try to always be humble. I know I have a responsibility and I want us to make the entire hockey nation happy. I need to prepare as responsibly as possible so that I don’t have any regrets later.”

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