Update: 05/05/2024 20:31
Issued by: 05/05/2024, 20:31
Brno – The Czech hockey players did not succeed in the general round at the World Championship in Prague at the Czech Games (Betano Hockey Games) in Brno, and after losing to Switzerland 1:2, they ended it without a point with only two goals scored in three games. Attacker Ondřej Palát from New Jersey said in an interview with journalists after the game that there is a need to improve especially in terms of efficiency.
“The match wasn’t the best, we got the first two goals again, then the Swiss put it in the middle zone and we didn’t manage to take advantage of any chances. It’s a shame, we were a bit toothless offensively, we have to improve,” said Palát.
He believes that the unsuccessful end of the training season after the defeats against Finland and Sweden after the previous series of six wins against Germany, Austria and Slovakia will not affect the team’s self-confidence in any way. “It’s just preparation, but of course we have to work on it, we have to improve so that the team works better for the championship,” said Palát.
The two-time winner of the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay from 2020 and 2021 played Thursday’s duel in the loss to Finland in a formation with club teammate Tomáš Nosk and Dominik Kubalík from Ottawa. Today he started with Ondřej Kaš from Litvínov and David Tomášek from Färjestad and after a change in the line-up from the second period again with Kubalík instead of Kaš. “It’s a little different hockey, but I feel good,” said the participant of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, the World Cup in Toronto two years later and the World Championship in Bratislava five years ago.
In the 14th minute, he entertained the packed hall with a tackle on defender Sven Jung, who flew over the bar between the substitutes. “I just wanted to finish him off, take the puck away from him, I gave a little hit there, I didn’t even know it flew out there,” Palát described the situation. Radko Gudas, the well-known tough guy of the Czech team, who remained in the stands today, apparently did not heckle him in any way. “No, he’s probably jealous,” Palat said with a laugh.
He was glad that the event entertained the audience. “At least something,” he remarked. But sometimes a whistle was heard from the stands. “I didn’t notice it much, the fans were great in all three matches. Of course, it would be better if we won, but as I say… They are excited for the championship. I hope that the Czech team will perform much better there. We are working hard, the energy is there, but it’s toothless, it would take some idea, some cleverness, to slow down the game to make it better.”
He had no idea if the nervousness of the nomination fight could show in the game. “I don’t know, I can’t speak for the boys, of course there were enough of us here, there were a lot of training sessions, but they were brisk. I don’t know if the boys were nervous, I felt good for myself, I can’t speak for anyone. Now the coach will say the lineup soon , then we’ll see who gets into the team, and then we’ll start working on the championship,” said Palát.
In the game, the Swiss went up against teammates from New Jersey, defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler and forward Nic Hischier. Only goalkeeper Akira Schmid remained on the substitutes’ bench. “We are good friends, we said hello, we wished each other good luck. That was all,” added Palát.
