Lukáš Sedlák. | Photo: Jakub Knap
With Červenka and Kaš, he leads an elite Czech attack. After the bitter experience of the silver final, everything is going well for Lukáš Sedlák in Prague. Although it took a while – last year at the World Cup he had five points in three matches, now three points in five duels. And during the match against Austria, Pardubice released his friend Tomáš Hyka to Sparta.
“A good performance for the full sixty minutes. We had more of the game from the start. We had a lot of chances in the first period, I should have scored, then there were more chances. It’s a shame that it didn’t fall a little earlier, maybe it would have been a calmer match. But we used the power play, that was an important moment. We didn’t give the opponent many chances,” said the first center.
Was it the first match at the championship that went completely as expected for the Czech Republic?
I guess you could say that. Except for a few substitutions with mistakes, we were better the whole match and went for the win. We want to improve in everything. The fans drive us forward, so we’re happy to give back to them on the ice.
Is the pressure of the home environment not weighing on you?
At the beginning of the championship, we were perhaps a little more nervous. But we manage to focus on each next game, next challenge. I have a more experienced team and good performances help us. If we were losing, it would be more stressful. This way, on the contrary, we use the atmosphere positively.
Last year at the World Cup you personally did well in terms of shooting, this year so far one goal. Do you have a slightly different role in the national team?
Maybe I have a little more defensive assignments in the line. On the other hand, today I had a beautiful chance that I should have used. So I have to hold on, get chances. In the last three matches there were opportunities for goals. I want to continue it – it will rebound, or we will use the power play. We did well on them last year. So patience. The points will come when I play well.
Even Dominik Kubalík broke it…
Yeah, that’s how it goes. We played our fifth game in the tournament, but it’s not about points. Everyone contributes, every line can assert itself. This is our big advantage so far.
Have you already discussed the arrival of Martin Nečas in the cabin?
Not yet. Of course, we know that he and Carolina fell out, but we didn’t discuss it further.
You secured your place in the quarter finals early. In previous years, this was not the norm, the Czechs lost points to outsiders.
So far we can be quite satisfied. But it doesn’t mean anything, we want to keep going. It will be decided later, now we are fulfilling the tasks we have set ourselves. We have scored in every game, we have another important one with Great Britain on Saturday. Then we will rest and go to Canada. Big matches still await us, we have to prepare for the quarter finals.
Did you register the case of former teammate Valery Nichushkin in Colorado, who failed a drug test again?
Sure, but what can I say about that… It’s a shame that he has such problems. I thought he’d come out of it, he’s done well in the playoffs, he’s a great player. Hopefully he’ll get his act together, of course I don’t know exactly what happened to him.
During the match against Austria, Sparta announced Tomáš Hyka as their new signing. Your view?
Tomáš and I are great friends, we were in contact, so I knew it was coming today. It will be a new challenge for him. We have already written to each other to be careful when we meet on the ice. (smiles) There will be some peaking going on. I think he will be happy in Prague, he also lives here, he has an advantage in that. I’m looking forward to the games against him, I’m looking forward to having a beer after the season and talking about it.
Lukáš Sedlák | Photo: Jakub Knap
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2024-05-17 21:47:00
#Sedlák #Hyka #satisfied #Prague #careful #ice #Hokej.cz
