yesterday 10.30pm
|
In the quarterfinals of the junior championship in Canada, the Slovakian under-20 hockey team reached a valuable scalp against the home team. Canadian super-talent Connor Bedard ended the hopes of the “20” to get into the top four only in the sixth minute of extra time with a goal to make it 3:4. However, the comprehensive performance of the young Slovaks showed the potential of the next generation and increased the player’s credit ahead of this year’s NHL draft.
The youngest selection among all teams at the World Cup managed to defeat the USA (6:3) in the group stage and stubbornly stood up to the favorite Canada for 66 minutes. Slovakian goalkeeper Adam Gajan put in a great performance in goal, clearing up to 53 ‘Maple Leaf’ attempts. The young Slovak had been suffering from a virus for several days.
“In the last three duels I only felt good against the USA. It kept getting worse, I had a high fever, my whole body ached. It didn’t go very well, but I survived and yesterday we were one step away from a great success” . said the 19-year-old hockeyslovakia goaltender, who was not approached by any of the teams in the NHL overseas draft in July.
However, with his excellent performances, he caught the attention of scouts and earned a potential shot for the next draft. “I’ve already talked to some teams. There will probably be others after the championship, but I’m not dealing with them yet. I’m concentrating on recovering as best as possible.”
Team captain Šimon Nemec also rated the championship positively. The 18-year-old defender feels that the “twenty” have achieved a great victory, and he regrets the extra-time defeat even more.
“It was a fantastic match, we played up and down, we didn’t defend too much. It was a good match for the fans. It’s a bit disappointing because with a different opponent we would have gone further. I’m glad I could be the captain of this team. I think I was the best captain for this team on and off the ice. We did well and I’m proud of the team.” he said in the absence of Juraj Slafkovský, the highest-drafted World Cup participant among players selected in July’s NHL draft.
The captain of the Slovakian national team was the busiest player in the entire championship until the end of the quarterfinals. The defenseman, who works in the lower American AHL on the Utica Comets team, played 131 minutes and 12 seconds during five duels with an average of minutes that exceeded 26 minutes on ice. “It was a lot of minutes, but I’m glad it was a lot. At times maybe it was a bit too much, but I think I managed it” said the Olympic bronze medalist from Beijing.
The German belongs to the group of players born in 2004, so if released by his employer New Jersey Devils, he could also be available for the next junior championship. “Next year will be closer for Slovakian fans, because it will be played in Europe. It can therefore be even better than this year. The team will also have more experience.” added the former non-league Nitra defender.
