In the quarter-final qualification of the Olympic ice hockey tournament DEB-Selection of Slovakia. We take a closer look at the opponents of the German ice hockey men:
What do you actually have planned for your retirement? So when you can enjoy your pension at the age of 68 or perhaps as early as 65. When many people plan to read a lot of books, dedicate themselves to their house or garden, travel around the world or their grandchildren. Any ideas? We have a suggestion: become a national ice hockey coach and follow the example of Craig Ramsay, the Slovakian head coach!
The 70-year-old worked more or less continuously as a player, coach, manager and scout in the North American professional league (NHL) between 1971 and 2017. He became a legend with the Buffalo Sabers and also left his mark with the Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, among others. Five years ago, the Canadian moved to Europe and took over the Slovakian national ice hockey team. Since then he has been able to stabilize Team Slovensko.
Why the German national ice hockey team should not underestimate Slovakia
At the 2021 World Cup in Riga, the men from Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Zvolen and Co. reached the quarter-finals of an Ice Hockey World Cup for the first time in six tournaments. They first had to qualify for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Accordingly, they tend to be outsiders. Nevertheless, ours must DEB-Selection takes the Slovaks seriously in the quarter-final qualification and pays particular attention to a few players.
In general, it looks like this: Nine Slovak players play in the Czech Extra League, six in the Continental Hockey League (KHL), five in the domestic league, two players each in Switzerland and Finland and one in the US college league NCAA.
Top talent Juraj Slafkovsky made the biggest headlines during the tournament so far. The 17-year-old striker from Kosice, currently under contract with the traditional Finnish team TPS Turku in everyday league life, scored four goals in the three group games and is top of the top scorers list. He will most likely be selected as a top-five player in this year's NHL draft. Simon Nemec is similarly talented and therefore highly sought after by NHL teams for the upcoming talent draw. The defender was also born in 5 and will make his way to the top level of ice hockey if he works hard enough. The same applies to Samuel Knazko, who is “already” 2004 years old.
Strengths of Slovakia: Hard game and full physical effort
Speaking of which, hard work and physical play are definitely Slovakia's strengths. And it's not as if they don't know how to play ice hockey. They have only been taking part in the Olympic Games since 1994, but have done so seven times to date. Their greatest success was not that long ago. In Vancouver 2010, the Slovakians finished fourth after losing narrowly (4:2) to eventual Olympic champions Canada in the semi-finals. The German ice hockey team has met Slovakia three times in Olympic tournaments. The Slovakians won the first meeting 3:6 after extra time in Lillehammer 5. The other two games, in Nagano 1994 and Salt Lake City 1998, were played by the DEB-Selection won 3:0 and 4:2.
It's been twenty years since the last meeting between the two national ice hockey teams. At that time, Jürgen Rumrich, Jan Benda and Klaus Kathan scored the goals for the German men. Marc Seliger remained in the box without conceding a goal. Christian Künast was available as his backup. The DEB-Sports director was part of the team that came eighth in 2002. Eighth place would also be achieved with quarter-final qualification this year.
Olympic facts about Slovakia
– Results during the tournament: 2:6 vs. Finland, 1:4 vs. Sweden, 5:2 vs. Latvia
– has taken part in the Olympics seven times since 1994
– Eliminated 2018-1 in the quarterfinals against the USA in 5
– 2010 4th place (!) after semi-final defeat against eventual Olympic champion Canada (2:3) and lost match for 3rd place against Finland (3:5)
Olympic record between Germany and Slovakia
– 3:0 (2002, Salt Lake City/USA, preliminary round) Goals: Jürgen Rumrich, Jan Benda, Klaus Kathan
– 4:2 (1998, Nagano/JPN, game for 9th place)
– 5:6 nV (1994, Lillehammer/NOR, placement round)