VIDEO Dirty foul on a young star, but also provocation: Cehlárik praised the referees! – Sports

BRATISLAVA – Even before the start of the qualification for the Olympic Games in Beijing, it was clear that the most difficult step awaits the Slovaks in the last match of the group. The match against Belarus confirmed this, Craig Ramsay’s charges had to fight to advance to the last seconds.

The Slovaks started well and took the lead in the 5th minute, but the Belarusians equalized at the beginning of the second period and since then it has been a tough fight. With the score 1: 1, both teams could tilt the scales to their side, excellent interventions were shown by both goalkeepers – Konrád and Taylor. “I am very proud of this team. We managed a difficult match, I have to praise the goalkeeper and young players. However, they could rely on the experienced ones, ” said SR coach Craig Ramsay after the match.

The Belarusians played the whole match very hard, the defender Sapego paid extra in the 5th minute, when after a foul on Slafkovsky he received a penalty until the end of the match. However, the opponents played at the border of fair play even later, the Slovaks did not allow themselves to be provoked. “The referees did well. I’m glad we made it to the end, ” said striker Peter Cehlárik.

Juraj Slafkovsky goes hard into the boards and Sergei Sapego gets ejected from the game.

Slafkovsky is OK on the bench. # Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/tlyscrHqjY

– Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) August 29, 2021

After the match, Marek Hrivík deservedly raised the cup for the winner of the qualification. The 30-year-old striker was one of the team’s leaders, and was praised by coach Ramsay. “Of course, last season was a success, we also showed up in a good light at the World Championships. I am glad that we also transferred it to the qualification and we advanced. We still have some tournaments for the Olympics ahead of us, we will try to continue with such performances, “ said Hrivik.

The Slovak captain also praised goalkeeper Konrád, whom the president of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association (SZĽH) and at the same time the general manager of the national team, Miroslav Šatan, described as the tournament player. “Brano supported us in all matches, he showed that he is experienced. We are glad to have a goalkeeper like him in the national team. “

The young men also performed in a very good light, especially Juraj Slafkovský often applauded the spectators at the winter stadium in Bratislava. “The young players have moved on again. ´Slavko´ played very well, he is dominant in the puck, it is difficult to take him, he knew how to send teammates to chances. I believe that he will have a successful season ahead of him. I also believe that he will get to the club later, which will give him a chance, and that he will have a great career, “ concluded Hrivík.

• The author: © List
• VIDEO: Twitter, TASR – Jakub Popelka
• Source: TASR