“Slovak Ice Hockey Players Enter World Cup 2023 with 2-3 Loss to Czech Republic: Expert Reactions and Concerns”

Both Országh and Valábik’s concerns

“Many of us were worried and in the end we were in the game for points until the last second. We don’t have the strongest team, there are many young players or debutants at the big championship,” said Vladimír Országh, world champion in 2002, on the RTVS broadcast.

“The newcomers left a very good impression. Our best attacker was Okuliar. We need much more from Pánik, Cehlárik, Hrivík. It’s not a criticism, they know it. When these guys don’t turn on full speed, we can’t think about winning,” warned Stanley Cup winner Marián Gáborík.

Boris Valábik added Libor Hudáček to the experienced trio. Paradoxically, before the match, he identified the offensive as the biggest advantage of the Slovak team: “Maybe I’m negative, but I’m a little worried before this championship. The reason is the defense, including the goalkeepers. For the first time, I am not afraid that we will score few goals. The defense, at least in preparation and even on paper, is not as strong as the attack.

The attack is good, the defense is bad, the goalkeepers are a question mark. Skorvánek or Hlavaj can shoot excellently, but it can also be a flop.”

Chromiak à la Ovechkin. Everything was different

The youngest player on the roster, 20-year-old Martin Chromiak, scored already in the opening five minutes (VIDEO). “Ovečkin’s number, Ovečkin’s floor, Ovečkin’s shot. One of the newcomers can immediately take the puck away as a valuable souvenir,” commentator Pavol Gašpar shouted at Slovakia.

The second goal was scored by the Czech goalkeeper Šimon Hrubec himself, when he pulled the puck with his stick and slipped it between the concrete into the goal (VIDEO). “We probably all knew that we would score goals. The positive thing is that we give them from repeated chances. That we give them from the things we can, we have to, and I’m sure we will continue to do so,” praised Valábik after the introductory part.

Read also

VIDEO: Slovaks evaluate the loss to the Czech Republic. Podkonický indicated what made the decision

The Slovaks did not score in the remaining two periods. And despite the concerns of the former Atlanta Trashers quarterback, they didn’t even cash in. “Everything was different. I thought the forwards would have no problem asserting themselves, they did. I thought we would burn more in the defensive zone, we didn’t.

When we had a question mark with the defenders, today they kept the team in a position to win the game. It was underlined by Škorvánek. We expect more from the attackers,” assessed Valábik. He selected Patrik Koch and Mário Grman from the backs.

Cehlárik and Hrivík? Maybe they need a break from each other

Before the match, coach Ramsay divided Peter Cehlárik and Marek Hrivík. The Canadian expert’s decision was analyzed by his former assistant in the national team, Vladimír Országh.

“Two years ago they had a very good season, especially in Leksand. They also understood each other in the national team. After two years they reunited in Leksand, it wasn’t so good anymore. Also, cooperation in preparation for the World Cup did not go so well for them. So it’s normal that Coach Ramsay split them up. He can always put them back together. It’s a proven twin, maybe they need a little break from each other.”

VIDEO: Coach Craig Ramsay evaluates the match Slovakia – Czech Republic 2:3:

Germany will not be a panacea. Černak or Fehérváry would be suitable

“I think that dividing the force into several attacks is a good move,” said Gáborík. Valábik agreed: “Three solid formations were created with this move. I’m not afraid that we won’t score goals with these strikers. The defensive. We would need Černak, Fehérváry. I even think that even Šimon Nemec will not be the panacea we need.

I’m looking for a defensive defender who can stop the opponent’s counterattack and win the puck. The defender, who puts the opponent on his back, pokes the puck and moves him forward with a simple pass.”

Of all the possible concerns, Országova’s was finally the closest, that the attacks after the regrouping would suffer because they would not be played from preparation.

Read also

Slovakia’s program for the 2023 World Hockey Championship

Latvians? Nothing easy

The Slovaks conceded the decisive goal during the expulsion of Mislav Rosandič. The native of Croatia conceded a foul with his knee in 5 min. + DKZ. Valábik compared the offense with a similar tackle by Vladimír Sobotka on Richard Pánik. Cech received two minutes for tripping.

“Totally the other way around,” said Valábik. On repeated footage, he pointed out that while Rosandič was pulling his leg away from the player, Sobotka was going with his leg against Pánik: “The difference was that Rišo Pánik did not stay lying on the ground, and I don’t want to say that he was simulating.”

Gáborík agreed: “With Sobotko, it’s often on the verge of fair play.” The punishment should have been greater. The exclusion of Rosandič changed the ‘momentum’ of the match.”

Slovak hockey players will take part in the second meeting of the championship today (Saturday) from 19:20 against Latvia. “They will also be uncomfortable, they are at home. They have quality, especially in defence. It’s all made up of players from the Czech extra league, it won’t be easy,” warns Országh.