Team Slovakia Thread

Put or ask something interesting :)

You can ask me too. We will answer together (ak ti to nevadi).

Hehe :) skor mi to vobec neprekaza.. Sorry for the Slovak :)

is Palffy really a god in Slovakia?

Too bad Slovakia doesn't have a goaltender.

Too bad Slovakia doesn't have a goaltender.


same could be said about USA

same could be said about USA

And Sweden.

is Palffy really a god in Slovakia?
Palffy was never considered one but Satan was almost taken as a god (literally) after the 2002 WC's.

Too bad Slovakia doesn't have a goaltender.

If Slovakia haven't any goaltender which didn't act in NHL, it doesn't mean, that Slovakia haven't good goaltender either.
All three golies have an experience from NHL and Lasak shows us, that his style in the face of NHL stars is great. It's not all about skills acquired in NHL.

Any goalie can be the best during such a short perdiod of time, Brian Boucher proved it earlier this year. Also, Lunqvist and Conklin were better than Luongo during the world championnships.

I wouldn't bet on Lasak or DiPietro outplaying any canadian goalie, but it could happens.

the goaltending will KILL any chance Slovakia has and it will probably take down the US and on the other hand could carry Finland

adam
http://www.sportslizard.com

As a sens fan and a general fan of the underdog i have adopted Slovakia as my boys......i want to see the Slovaks play Canada in the final.

I like their attitude and style of play.
With The Tower of Trencin patrolling the blueline they won't need a great goalie :)

How do you say Go Slovakia Go!! in Slovak

Do you think Jaroslav Halak might be a future slovakia goaltender..... who is their future?

I am really looking forward to Slovakia putting on a good show. Their players will be pretty keen on showing the hockey World up for shabby treatment in past Olympics. If either Lasak or Stana can take the ball and run this team could be in with a shot.

As a sens fan and a general fan of the underdog i have adopted Slovakia as my boys......i want to see the Slovaks play Canada in the final.

I like their attitude and style of play.
With The Tower of Trencin patrolling the blueline they won't need a great goalie :)

How do you say Go Slovakia Go!! in Slovak
There are a few ways of saying Go Slovakia Go but this is the main one: Slovensko Do Toho!

Do you think Jaroslav Halak might be a future slovakia goaltender..... who is their future?
Our goalies are still young. Lasak is around 24, Stana too and Budaj is 22 I believe. Halak could become the next goalie but he will need to be better than them.

As a sens fan and a general fan of the underdog i have adopted Slovakia as my boys......i want to see the Slovaks play Canada in the final.

I like their attitude and style of play.
With The Tower of Trencin patrolling the blueline they won't need a great goalie :)

How do you say Go Slovakia Go!! in Slovak

It's nice to see posts like this one on this thread, where everybody talks especially about weak goaltending :D

When we're talking about goaltenders...
If you compare this tournament to the 2002 Olympics only one team still has a big goaltender - Canada (Brodeur). No more Hasek, Khabibulin, Salo, Richter. There is a new generation coming! Lets hope that Tellquist, Bryzgalov and Lasak can outplay those like Brodeur! :)

Wasn't Stana one of the Top goalies in the AHL this past season? I can't wait to watch him. IMO the slovaks have a GREAT chance at winning this tournament

I think they have the deadliest offense in the tournament, but the rest of the team is in question. Their defense really isn't all that bad after Chara and Visnovsky. Majesky, Strbak, and Suchy are NHL defenseman and Mezei is still improving. In goal, someone always could step up and steal the show.

This team could go really far, IMO.

I think Lasak will be up to the task. Whenever I have seen him play at the World Championships, he plays well. In 2002 against the Swedes in the shootout, Lasak was outstanding. I think a lot of people who haven't seen him play are underestimating his ability, and I really do think that he'll surprise. And hopefully he can parlay that into an NHL job somewhere (does Nashville still hold his rights?).

I think Lasak will be up to the task. Whenever I have seen him play at the World Championships, he plays well. In 2002 against the Swedes in the shootout, Lasak was outstanding. I think a lot of people who haven't seen him play are underestimating his ability, and I really do think that he'll surprise. And hopefully he can parlay that into an NHL job somewhere (does Nashville still hold his rights?).

Also at 2004 World Championship he was outstanding, i think he was the best goalie with highest save percentage, but Slovakia claimed only fourth place.

This season he's heading to Pardubice/Czech Rep. team. Hope, he'll be best :)

Wasn't Stana one of the Top goalies in the AHL this past season? I can't wait to watch him. IMO the slovaks have a GREAT chance at winning this tournament

Yes, he was. But i don't know if Filc wants to give him some ice time, because on all tournaments the golie no.1 was Lasak. Who knows..

same could be said about USA

That just wasn't good to say. Esche/DiPietero/Conklin >>>>>> whoever Slovakia will run out there (Stanta?)

You really want to compare Slovakia's goaltending to any of the other countries in the World Cup?

Esche, Dipietro, or Duhnam are not any better than whoever Slovakia throws out there. Playing in Philly has proven that they can make any average goaltender look good. Esche is cleary USA best goaltender, but he's done nothing more internationally than any goalie Slovakia throws out there.


Czech Republic has Vokoun. I think people are forgetting that. Nabokov is just as good as Khabby. Not having Salo in net actually might be a plus for Sweden.

Esche, Dipietro, or Duhnam are not any better than whoever Slovakia throws out there. Playing in Philly has proven that they can make any average goaltender look good. Esche is cleary USA best goaltender, but he's done nothing more internationally than any goalie Slovakia throws out there.


Czech Republic has Vokoun. I think people are forgetting that. Nabokov is just as good as Khabby. Not having Salo in net actually might be a plus for Sweden.


I am going to watch Cdn vs USA and Cdn vs USA. I think the Slovaks are the biggest threat to Canada in their pool, Can't wait to watch Slovakia, Go HAndzuz !
By the way, I watched pretty much every Flyer game this year, I was not a Esche believer at first, BUT he changed my opinion, Esche is alot better than the Slovaks goalies, Put Esche on SLovakia and they would be a Contender, Wit Lasak, they will be just a good, highly offensive team !

You guys tend to judge a player by one and only criteria - playing in the NHL. That could be a bit missleading.

On these boards, slovaks are considered as a team with non-existing goaltending. but to me, the goalie who took the team to 3 world championship medals during past 4 years can not be that bad.

Lasak is simply tournament goalie and is extremly effective when motivated and feeling confidence from the team. This was not the case in NHL so his rare appearence in Preds uniform was not a proper test of his skills. Give this guy a chance, tell him he is the man and he will stand on his head to win it all for you.

Just my 2 cents.

You guys tend to judge a player by one and only criteria - playing in the NHL. That could be a bit missleading.

On these boards, slovaks are considered as a team with non-existing goaltending. but to me, the goalie who took the team to 3 world championship medals during past 4 years can not be that bad.

Lasak is simply tournament goalie and is extremly effective when motivated and feeling confidence from the team. This was not the case in NHL so his rare appearence in Preds uniform was not a proper test of his skills. Give this guy a chance, tell him he is the man and he will stand on his head to win it all for you.

Just my 2 cents.

That's really nice written. Just my words :D

You guys tend to judge a player by one and only criteria - playing in the NHL. That could be a bit missleading.

On these boards, slovaks are considered as a team with non-existing goaltending. but to me, the goalie who took the team to 3 world championship medals during past 4 years can not be that bad.

Lasak is simply tournament goalie and is extremly effective when motivated and feeling confidence from the team. This was not the case in NHL so his rare appearence in Preds uniform was not a proper test of his skills. Give this guy a chance, tell him he is the man and he will stand on his head to win it all for you.

Just my 2 cents.


I agree that at any moment, and in a tournament, a goalie can get hot. That being said, Lasak is not going to be a hero at this tournament.

If your argument is that he doesn't need to play in the NHL to prove he's a goalie worthy of this tournament, then you are mistaken. If he can't catch on as a starter in the NHL (a recent expansion team at that!) then he cannot be considered up there with the other goalies at the tournament. He might steal a game if he's having the game of his life and they're playing Germany, but how confident are you with him in the net if he's facing a Canadian PP first unit with Pronger and Niedermayer on the point and Heatly, Lemieux and Iginla up front. Unit 2 could be Redden and Jovanovski, and Thornton, Doan and Sakic? This means that the NHL mvp and Art Ross winner from last year isn't even on the ice. Lasak hasn't seen this quality in practice let alone in a game. Brodeur has, and so has Luongo.

Chara's good, but he's not that good. I understand what you're saying if you are just referring to an average NHL goalie compared to Lasak. But in this tournament? No way.

I agree that at any moment, and in a tournament, a goalie can get hot. That being said, Lasak is not going to be a hero at this tournament.

If your argument is that he doesn't need to play in the NHL to prove he's a goalie worthy of this tournament, then you are mistaken. If he can't catch on as a starter in the NHL (a recent expansion team at that!) then he cannot be considered up there with the other goalies at the tournament. He might steal a game if he's having the game of his life and they're playing Germany, but how confident are you with him in the net if he's facing a Canadian PP first unit with Pronger and Niedermayer on the point and Heatly, Lemieux and Iginla up front. Unit 2 could be Redden and Jovanovski, and Thornton, Doan and Sakic? This means that the NHL mvp and Art Ross winner from last year isn't even on the ice. Lasak hasn't seen this quality in practice let alone in a game. Brodeur has, and so has Luongo.

Chara's good, but he's not that good. I understand what you're saying if you are just referring to an average NHL goalie compared to Lasak. But in this tournament? No way.

Good points, hf'02.

Anyway, I was saying that when he (Lasak) was given the chance (WCH '00 - '04) he was able to perform on much higher level than expected by NHL fans. Not many have seen his stellar play in Stockholm '02, but he was facing top notch NHL talent there and did not look shaky at all.

As for Chara - I'm not sure what you mean, but if we are talking about slovak defence I agree that there are some gaps. At least there will be no bored/disinclined stars used to have first pairing duties in their NHL teams with 12-15 min. icetime in World Cup games :D

Good points, hf'02.

Anyway, I was saying that when he (Lasak) was given the chance (WCH '00 - '04) he was able to perform on much higher level than expected by NHL fans. Not many have seen his stellar play in Stockholm '02, but he was facing top notch NHL talent there and did not look shaky at all.

As for Chara - I'm not sure what you mean, but if we are talking about slovak defence I agree that there are some gaps. At least there will be no bored/disinclined stars used to have first pairing duties in their NHL teams with 12-15 min. icetime in World Cup games :D

In reference to Chara, that was my mistake. Someone had said that with Chara on the blue line he'll make up for a lot of mistakes that the goalie might fall victim to if he wasn't there. Chara's an awesome player, but if he couldn't cover Lalime's butt with a strong team in Ottawa there's no way he'll do it for Lasak either.

In reference to Chara, that was my mistake. Someone had said that with Chara on the blue line he'll make up for a lot of mistakes that the goalie might fall victim to if he wasn't there. Chara's an awesome player, but if he couldn't cover Lalime's butt with a strong team in Ottawa there's no way he'll do it for Lasak either.
Last World Championships proved that Chara and also other def-mens is working hard in front of Lasak. I think, there will be no problem at World Cup too.

The poor handeling of the Olympic situation last year, IMO, is the only reason there is no longer a "big five". IMO it is and will quite soon be reckogized as the "big six". As far as elite talent goes - they're definately above average in "the big six". They're still a growing hockey nation however, so the high quality depth doesn't exist yet - it will come, and when that does, I'm sure it will give birth to what could over time become one of the most heated rivalries in Europe. Currently, the Canada/USA is the biggest IMO because of the last World Cup and the Olympics. But really, there are ALOT anyways I guess....

The poor handeling of the Olympic situation last year, IMO, is the only reason there is no longer a "big five". IMO it is and will quite soon be reckogized as the "big six". As far as elite talent goes - they're definately above average in "the big six". They're still a growing hockey nation however, so the high quality depth doesn't exist yet - it will come, and when that does, I'm sure it will give birth to what could over time become one of the most heated rivalries in Europe. Currently, the Canada/USA is the biggest IMO because of the last World Cup and the Olympics. But really, there are ALOT anyways I guess....

which team did you exclude from "big seven"? just curious...

Put or ask something interesting :)

Can anyone post a sample lineup?

They should have a pretty good team...

Can anyone post a sample lineup?

They should have a pretty good team...
(F) BARTECKO Lubos
(F) SATAN Miroslav
(F) PALFFY Zigmund
(F) STUMPEL Jozef
(F) GABORIK Marian
(F) NAGY Ladislav
(F) HOSSA Marian
(F) BONDRA Peter
(F) HANDZUS Michal
(F) SOMIK Radovan
(F) RADIVOJEVIC Branko
(F) DEMITRA Pavol
(F) ZEDNIK Richard
(F) ORSZAGH Vladimir
(F) HLINKA Miroslav
(D) VISNOVSKY Lubomir
(D) SUCHY Radoslav
(D) LINTNER Richard
(D) MEZEI Branislav
(D) MAJESKY Ivan
(D) STRBAK Martin
(D) CHARA Zdeno
(D) OBSUT Jaroslav
(G) LASAK Jan
(G) STANA Rastislav
(G) BUDAJ Peter

which team did you exclude from "big seven"? just curious...

Oops, lol, ya - what I meant was the big six would turn into the big seven ;)

Either way, you got my drift about the Slovaks moving up in the hockey worlds hierarchy.

Does anyone have an idea of what the lines might look like?
I think the speed and power of Hossa might open up a lot of space for a sniper like Satan.

I think the lines will be like this:

1st line: Bondra-Stumpel-Palffy This line was made by Filc in the 2002 WC's and it was great. Great chemistry.
2nd line: Gaborik/Zednik-Demitra-Hossa I know Gaborik is RW but these know each other and play good together. Demitra and Hossa will be together, not sure about the LW position though. Maybe Zednik too.
3rd line: Bartecko-Handzus-Satan The line which was great at the 2000 WC's. Satan and Handzus have great chemistry. Not sure about the LW position though.
4th line: Orzsagh-Hlinka-Nagy The wingers have GREAT chemistry. I thought he would nominate Pavlikovsky as they were great in the 2002 WC's.

Note: You see I go mainly by chemistry. These lines could be WAY off too.

1st pairing: Visnovsky-Strbak They have played together for a long time and know each other. But could be changed as none of them is a physical D.
2nd pairing: Chara-Lintner Chara will back up Lintners offensive tours and guard him.
3rd pairing: Suchy-Mezei/Majesky: The 3rd pairing I dont know really but Suchy will be in.

Lasak
Stana
Budaj

These lines were good in the WC's, meaning European rules and rinks. Maybe Filc will change the lines as we are going to play in NA and NHL rules.

Gaborik Demitra Hossa :eek:

deadly team USA's slow defense will not be able to handle this line.

Gaborik is a puck hog though. He was a BIG one during this years WC's. He was on a line with Stumpel and Satan and he almost always went alone. I hope he can play more for the team during the WC.

So whats the latest on Richard Zednik's status? Has he been skating with the team in all the practices?

So whats the latest on Richard Zednik's status? Has he been skating with the team in all the practices?
I dont know but Handzus was injured. He has some muscle problems in his arms. They say that PHI will decide how he will be cured. He may have an operation or play in the WC but not 100%. He probably wont play any more preseason games. The PHI's decision will be important.

Note: I doubt they let him play. It will be better for them if he doesnt play so we have smaller chances and he gets cured.. But I hope he does play.

Zednik is skating with the team and everything BTW. :)

Handzus would be a HUGE loss for Slovakia IMO. They could afford to lose a sniper type like Zednik, Bondra, Gaborik, or Satan because they have lots of them. They only have one Handzus type player.

Handzus would be a HUGE loss for Slovakia IMO. They could afford to lose a sniper type like Zednik, Bondra, Gaborik, or Satan because they have lots of them. They only have one Handzus type player.
I agree. A good defensive center. Our best defensive forward.

http://hokej.point.sk/spravy/?clanok=30776

O Handzušovej lieèbe rozhodne jeho zamestnávate¾

Slovenská hokejová reprezentácia pripravujúca sa na Svetový pohár
pokraèovala po nede¾nom zápase so Švédskom (0:2) v pondelok v
tréningovom procese.

"Okrem zraneného Michala Handzuša trénovalo celé mužstvo na ¾ade,"
prezradil tlaèový hovorca slovenského tímu Igor Teleky. Stredný
útoèník Philadelphie Handzuš pre zranenie proti Švédsku ani nedohral.

O jeho aktuálnom zdravotnom stave informoval lekár mužstva Dalimír
Janèoviè: "Michal absolvoval v pondelok predpoludním vyšetrenie
magnetickou rezonanciou. Potvrdili sa naše predpovede o povahe a
vážnosti jeho zranenia. Ide o poškodenie svalových vlákien v ramene.
Momentálne pripravujem správu o Handzušovom zdravotnom stave pre jeho zamestnávate¾a. S lekármi Philadelphie sa chceme dohodnú� na postupe ïalšej lieèby. Prípravné súboje pravdepodobne neabsolvuje. �ažko sa vyjadri�, èi bude môc� odohra� Svetový pohár. Pri spôsobe lieèby máme dve možnosti. Môžeme postupova� konzervatívnou lieèbou, ale do úvahy prichádza aj operácia. Dôležité bude rozhodnutie jeho klubu."

Can anybody translate? TIA.

I agree. A good defensive center. Our best defensive forward.

Not only that. The Slovaks are quite short on center position so loosing one of them would be a huuuuge blow. Stumpel is not even half a player when missing Palffy so there would be one more line without a natural center's skills.

On the top of that, Zeus always plays a little different style when playing for the SVK squad - he's trying to get back to his St.Louis' times :handclap: when used to cycling game with fellow Slovaks on the line. His underrated creativity would be really missed (especially after Ziggy's scratch).

Anyway, Zeus is a tough guy and I believe his injured biceps will be cured enough to let him play. :yo: (hopefully no politics from the Flyers' side will occure :teach: )

http://hokej.point.sk/spravy/?clanok=30776

Can anybody translate? TIA.
Thats practically what I said on the 3rd page here. They are saying that they will talk with the PHI doctors how they will treat him.

Not only that. The Slovaks are quite short on center position so loosing one of them would be a huuuuge blow. Stumpel is not even half a player when missing Palffy so there would be one more line without a natural center's skills.

On the top of that, Zeus always plays a little different style when playing for the SVK squad - he's trying to get back to his St.Louis' times :handclap: when used to cycling game with fellow Slovaks on the line. His underrated creativity would be really missed (especially after Ziggy's scratch).

Anyway, Zeus is a tough guy and I believe his injured biceps will be cured enough to let him play. :yo: (hopefully no politics from the Flyers' side will occure :teach: )
In short, it would be a huge loss. I hope he overcomes the injury and plays for us.

Put or ask something interesting :)
I would like to know the number of games played for the national team for each player on the roster, before or after yesterdays game against Sweden. Slovakia and/or Czechosloavkia.

A swedish newspaper (Aftonbladet...) have made their own World Cup-guide listing every player with vital data. According to them Peter Bondra has only played 22 games but that can´t be right, can it? And Visnovsky with 53 or 115 games?

LASAK Jan - ?
STANA Rastislav - ?
BUDAJ Peter - ?

VISNOVSKY Lubomir - ?
SUCHY Radoslav - ?
LINTNER Richard - ?
MEZEI Branislav - ?
MAJESKY Ivan - ?
STRBAK Martin - ?
CHARA Zdeno - ?
OBSUT Jaroslav - ?

BARTECKO Lubos - ?
SATAN Miroslav - ?
PALFFY Zigmund - ?
STUMPEL Jozef - ?
GABORIK Marian - ?
NAGY Ladislav - ?
HOSSA Marian - ?
BONDRA Peter - ?
HANDZUS Michal - ?
SOMIK Radovan - ?
RADIVOJEVIC Branko - ?
DEMITRA Pavol - ?
ZEDNIK Richard - ?
ORSZAGH Vladimir - ?
HLINKA Miroslav - ?

Here's the latest numbers of representation starts - it's very poor, only that what i found:

LASAK Jan - 38
BUDAJ Peter - 0

LINTNER Richard - 60
MEZEI Branislav - 19
MAJESKY Ivan - 56
STRBAK Martin - 66

BARTECKO Lubos - 40
SATAN Miroslav - 92
GABORIK Marian - 23

Here's the latest numbers of representation starts - it's very poor, only that what i found.
Thank you! :)

Stana's new swedish team says 26 games, which should be correct.
http://www.sodertaljesk.se/2004_team.asp?PID=77

I know Visnovsky has played 115 games and Radivojevic 9 and Bondra over 40 as of now.

Ahhhh, so it was you, Kronblom. You have stolen "The Scream"!

Just kidding :lol

To stay on topic....I have seen Peter Budaj play and feel he is a quality tender. Most likely he will get no action in this tourney but the experience should be valuable for his development.

Ahhhh, so it was you, Kronblom. You have stolen "The Scream"!

Just kidding :lol

To stay on topic....I have seen Peter Budaj play and feel he is a quality tender. Most likely he will get no action in this tourney but the experience should be valuable for his development.
Well, it seemed fitting......to use it as an avatar now. ;)

But I hope that no one else on these boards already have The Scream as their avatar.

Well, it seemed fitting......to use it as an avatar now. ;)

But I hope that no one else on these boards already have The Scream as their avatar.

Yup, and it exist in three versions. :amazed:

Yup, and it exist in three versions. :amazed:

It is 4 versions DanCan.

http://www.canada.com/news/national/story.html?id=647a605e-75f1-48e0-9b24-c26d4710990b

It is 4 versions DanCan.

http://www.canada.com/news/national/story.html?id=647a605e-75f1-48e0-9b24-c26d4710990b

Not quite, one of youe 4 'versions' is only an outline.

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article854233.ece

Do you also read Norwegian? :teach:

Not quite, one of youe 4 'versions' is only an outline.

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article854233.ece

Do you also read Norwegian? :teach:

The Canadian press thinks there are 4. :innocent:
I did not know one was only an outline. You always find interesting stuff DanCan. :D

It´s four original versions, here´s a link to the swedish newspaper Expressen.

http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=174220

It´s four original versions, here´s a link to the swedish newspaper Expressen.


All foreign newspapers, incl. Expressen, believes there are four original versions. An artist normally make an outline before he/she paints the original, and obviously the outline doesn't count as an original. To Repeat: there are three original versions. two normal sized (the one which has been stolen; the other one is in the National gallary and that one was stolen in 1994). And then there is a smaller original owned by a private. In addition the Munch Museum keeps an outline of the painting. OK? :teach:


Back to hockey: Can someone translate the slovak article on Handzus mentioned above. Is he injured or what?

All foreign newspapers, incl. Expressen, believes there are four original versions. An artist normally make an outline before he/she paints the original, and obviously the outline doesn't count as an original. To Repeat: there are three original versions. two normal sized (the one which has been stolen; the other one is in the National gallary and that one was stolen in 1994). And then there is a smaller original owned by a private. In addition the Munch Museum keeps an outline of the painting. OK? :teach:
OK, I surrender. :)

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=99525


sorry if not grammatically correct, it is too early in the morning :-)

About Handzuses treatment will decide his employer.
Slovak U18 trained after a friendly match with Sweden 0:2 on monday.
The whole team trained on the ice, except injured Handzus, said coach Teleky. Handzus didn’t even finish the match with Sweden.
Doctor Jancovic says: „Michal has injured shoulder muscles. I am preparing a report right now and we will discuss treatment with Philadelphia doctors. He won’t play preparing matches, probably. We cannot say if he will be ready for World cup. We have two possibilities: Operation or a conservative treatment as well, his employer will decide.“

This is from another thread though.