On Sunday, May 24, the Slovaks were hit by a cruel loss to Canada at the World Hockey Championship. The first two thirds were very even. Great hope for the Slovaks flared up at the moment when Kristián Pospíšil scored the equalizing goal.
In the second third, the Slovak representatives surprised with an excellent performance and kept up with the favorite in all activities. They were also more active on shots in this phase of the match in the ratio of 12:9.
The score was tied until the end of the third period. It’s no wonder that even giants like the Canadians were taken aback. It apparently surprised even the feared forward Sidney Crosby. A VIDEO in which he spoke to his teammates in the locker room was leaked on social networks. “We’ll get them. We just have to stay patient. Keep our cool. We know they’re bloody bad.” he said words that shocked many fans. You can find the VIDEO at the end of the article.
However, the Slovaks entered the third period with a numerical disadvantage, which was compounded by another foul by Oliver Okuliar. The Slovaks survived the double weakening, but in the game 5 on 4 he aimed Gabriel Vilardi and sent the favorite back to the lead. Marko Scheifele’s next chance was blocked by goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj, and on the opposite side it thundered after the action of Martin Chromiak and Mislav Rosandič. Not long after, John Tavares got to the puck in front of the Slovakian goalkeeper, and the Canadians already led by two goals.
Coach Vladimír’s players could return to the match Országha in the power play, but they didn’t pay attention to Ryan O’Reilly, he made it 4-1 in the weakening. The overseas selection then once again showed how to convert chances, closed the score at 5:1 Macklin Celebrini.
What is surprising is how Crosby’s rhetoric changed when Canada took another victory. “Today’s pace was excellent. Considering they were playing their second game in two days, it was impressive how they played.” he declared in one of the post-match interviews.
