In the photo, SZĽH president Miroslav Šatan Source: TASR/Pavel Neubauer
ZVOLEN – The Slovak hockey team has had a successful double match in Zvolen. Craig Ramsay’s side passed both tests against Germany, following up Wednesday’s 5-2 win with a 4-3 extra-time win on Thursday. The President of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association (SZĽH) Miroslav Šatan was pleased with the approach of the five debutants, as well as the overall performance of the teams in both duels.
“We are happy that there were many players who wore the national team jersey for the first time. Some scored their first goal, these are positive things. In addition, a full house in Zvolen, where we have not been for a long time. Of course, victories are pleasing. It was a successful two days and I think that both the boys and the coaches will go home satisfied” stated Šatan after the second performance of the Slovaks under the Deserted Castle.
The young Slovak team was able to surpass the Germans in several sections of both meetings, while nine different scorers were responsible for the goals.
“In yesterday’s match, the German wall collapsed only in the third period. We had many chances, we were active and there could have been more goals. However, I am glad that we scored some yesterday and today and it was evenly distributed.” said the head of Slovak hockey, who was also pleased with the five newcomers, who immediately got used to the team’s game philosophy.
Satisfied trainers
“I think the coaches were happy with them and gave them a positive review. They were pleased with the approach the rookies took and held their own. They appreciated their opportunity and they all rewarded the coaches with good performances.”
Defender Dávid Mudrák also earned praise from Šatan, who scored a goal and added two assists in the second match. After the match, the Zvolen defender agreed with the journalists that he shows significant progress in his game in the offensive phase.
Satan agreed with the same statement: “I definitely noticed it, already yesterday and today Dávid confirmed it with the statistics. When he scored the goal, he didn’t even look like a defender, but like a striker. He looked, he placed the shot. We are very pleased that we also brought him a year and a half, two years ago the national team and the first matches he was gaining experience. Today we see his improvement, he has matured, gained some experience and is starting to be a leader in the team. I think his performances confirm that his career has an upward trend.”
When evaluating the successful double match, Satan was impressed by the intensity in both duels, while even the defensively minded Germans presented themselves with a more offensive game.
“Both teams skated, the Germans made some adjustments, tried to do the same things in our zone. It was fast hockey, many young players, this is modern hockey and it is moving in this direction. We are glad that our boys passed the test at the international level. A hockey fan must have been happy because hockey was active with a lot of chances. When negative people say that we don’t have young players, they see that there is a selection from our extra league and he can play like this.”
Question from KHL players
At the end, Šatan also faced important questions regarding the future of players who work in the Russian KHL. Striker Samuel Buček from Nitra was also nominated for the double match in Zvolen. The most productive player of the Tipos extraliga was to become the first player to start the match after a short stint in Nizhnekamsk in Russia the previous season. In the end, a muscle injury took him out of the game, but with the approaching world championship, the controversial topic is asking for a definitive answer.
“I think that this topic will mature and it will be April when a decision will have to be made. It will be discussed from several points of view and we do not want to comment on it at the moment. There will definitely be an opinion on it at the time when it needs to be made. “
Photo gallery for the article Number of photos: 18
- Author: © List/
- Source: TASR
2024-02-08 21:25:08
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