Radim Rulík | Photo: Vít Golda
(ZURICH, from our newsletter) Dispel the nomination question marks, dig the required system under the skin of the players. The two primary points with which the national team flew to Switzerland were apparently achieved. “The tournament helped me, second place is decent,” said head coach Radim Rulík despite the beating from the Swedes. In the 0:5 loss, the virus that had been rampant in the cabin of the midfielder all week was fully manifested.
What are the causes of high defeat with Tre Kronor?
The Swedes were clearly better in movement, combination and speed. We were on the short end of the whole match. Before they got up to speed in the beginning, it was a bit even. They were already better from the middle of the first period. We kept an acceptable result of 0:1, but unfortunately we ran out of energy. We didn’t expect it. We have a virus in the cabin, the boys are sick and playing on pills. Even we as coaches are not the best.
Do you also come across the reason why Michael Špaček stayed out of the game compared to the plan?
We expected him to come in, but he had a fever. We had to react to that, Lukáš Sedlák went into the game. I don’t want to make excuses, but the health aspect was simply not ideal.
Was it even possible to protect the team from the spreading disease?
I don’t think so. The boys sleep in pairs, ride the bus together, are in the cabin together. It is difficult to prevent it. In this period, the situation is simply like this. Also, the guys have small children, that’s one of the reasons it gets to them. But I’m glad we did it the way we did. I expected it to be much worse.
Although the final score of 0:5 looks ominous, can positive elements be taken from the match?
I would rate it as a tournament – we had three tough games against quality opponents. It is no coincidence that the Swedes have not yet lost on the Euro Hockey Tour this year. I see it positively, we won two games compared to November. This is clearly a shift. As long as we had the power, the elements we wanted appeared in the game. It was not a failed tournament, on the contrary. Second place is decent in this confrontation. Although the last match did not go well for us.
“Second place is decent in this confrontation. Even if we didn’t go well last game.”
Were you more satisfied with how the players followed the system compared to November?
In the first two games for sure. Today it was worse than better, but that was due to the movement and I already explained why I think we didn’t have it at all. The Olympics will be something completely different, it cannot be compared to that at all.
So what did the tournament in Switzerland suggest to you in the direction of the games?
I don’t have the percentage calculated, but I know the names from Europe that will go, as well as from the NHL. The public has to wait, it’s only a few days away. He will wait. I encourage patience.
Are you still thinking about the dilemma of whether to take fighters from the NHL with a lower workload, or leaders from Europe?
I have a clearer one too. But it’s similar to what I said before. I’m not changing my philosophy. I have no reason to.
At the second event of the Euro Hockey Tour, guard Jiří Ticháček caught the eye, he even won the player of the match award with Sweden…
One match does not play such a significant role. But he came to the tournament in good form and was one of the defenders we could rely on. He succeeded.
“The public will have to wait, it’s only a few days. They will wait. I urge you to be patient.”
What is your program after returning to the Czech Republic?
We fly to Boston on Tuesday, we will be at NHL games every day until December 23rd. We will start preparing everything because we have to announce the nomination to the IIHF at the beginning of January. As soon as it is ready, we will introduce it to the players. We will work to get the materials as we have them ready. There won’t be enough time at the Olympics to benefit from joint preparation. You need to know the plan and game principles.
What about your health, did you take it too?
I don’t know… I don’t have a fever, we’ll manage. It is true that we are flying with Ondra Pavelec.
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