Slovak ice hockey players have successfully entered the Junior World Championships. First they defeated the Czech Republic 6:2, then Switzerland 3:0. Adam Sýkora led the team to two wins as captain.
Out of all the players in the team, he plays in the best league – AHL at the New York Rangers farm. In addition, he has already played in the senior world championships and already has a lot of experience at the age of 19.
He is characterized by his combativeness and great energy, both of which he has already managed to show. Against the Czech Republic and Switzerland, he flew across the ice, won an enormous number of fights, fought in weak spots or won pucks and really caused problems for the opponents.
In addition, he also showed his leadership side, right after the first period with the Czech Republic, in which the Slovaks did not play ideally.
“We have to show emotion, we don’t have anything there yet. I will try to change it, especially me, say something in the dressing room and I believe that we will change it immediately. Because I’m not happy with our performance,” he told JOJ Šport during the break.
His words came true, the Slovaks played much better in the second period and almost didn’t let the opponent do anything.
“If I don’t like something, I’ll say it in front of the guys. I am the captain, I have to be the right leader and choose the right words to motivate us. I tried to say words to fight. I’m glad it worked out.” said of his position as captain for hokej.cz.
In addition, he tries to encourage the team and the substitute during the match. “I’m trying to. You can win all matches on emotions, especially against strong opponents. We will try to continue it and hopefully it will continue to work out.”
In the second match against the Swiss, the Slovaks struggled, but in the end they won 3:0, although they scored two goals into an empty net. “It was felt that we had a match against the Czech Republic in our legs and they were rested. It was challenging, but we did it. It was a great team performance. Such victories are valued all the more, they move us forward,” evaluated Sýkor.
In addition to the team’s performance, Adam Gajan’s performance was also extremely important, he neutralized all 36 of the opponent’s shots.
“He held us in the last championship and continues to do so now. We are glad to have it and we try to protect it all the more. We all approach him in such a way that he is, as it were, the head of the team that holds us together.”
See also the assessment of the match with Switzerland:
After two matches, the Slovaks have the full number of points, with Norway and America ahead of them. Expectations are high from this generation of players.
“We have a lot of expectations, but we try not to feel pressure from the media or from other people. We try to play our game, have our team bubble, put on a fighting performance and fight for Slovakia and our nation.”
In addition, they are also fighting for two players who could not come because they play in the NHL. “They support us. I’m glad they’re in the NHL, that’s everyone’s goal. We are also fighting for them, we would be happy if they were here, but we are also happy for the team we have here.” said Sýkora to Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec.
news-item-description">Slovakia’s ice hockey players have a full number of points after two duels at the junior world championship. At first, despite a bad first period, they beat the Czech Republic 6-2 quite comfortably, but on the second day they really struggled with Switzerland and won 3-0, with the last two goals coming into an empty net. Coach Ivan Feneš said, just like after the match with the Czech Republic, that there is still room for improvement.
They have a great start, but they know very well that everything is just beginning. “We have to stay grounded and do the right things all the time. We all have a role here that we must accept. I will try to always give the team energy, strength, so that it lives and there are emotions.”
This generation of players apparently drove the hockey public crazy for the first time at the under-18 tournament at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where they reached the final. There are now up to 16 players from that team at the championships.
“That’s where it started. There were a lot of us from this team there. We have known the boys since childhood, we have grown together and I believe that we will end it with great success.” said Sýkora to hokej.cz, who had been thinking about this championship for a long time.
“I have been thinking about these championships since August, when I left for America. We are glad that we are a great group here together. I’m doing quite well in the AHL as well, I try to always play my game. I appreciate it all the more that they gave me a captain’s C,” he added in conclusion.
2023-12-28 15:55:00
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