According to former hockey representative Ladislav Nagy, the Slovaks have what it takes to reach the finals at the 2026 Olympics.
The former successful striker saw with his own eyes their quarter-final match against Germany (6:2) and after that he became convinced that they could get into the fight for the gold.
The former representative mainstay came to the Olympic Games venue with her son. Both were looking forward to the victory, which secured the Slovaks participation among the best four of the tournament.
“The boys deserved it. They started the Olympics with a victory over the Finns, then they also defeated the Italians in a competitive match. They also managed a duel with the Swedes and deservedly won over Germany. They didn’t give the Germans anything, they didn’t have many chances.
On the contrary, the Slovaks played well for the entire 60 minutes, defending the midfield well. It’s a great achievement. We can easily go for gold. I wish them the best and it would be incredible if we reached the final,” Nagy told TASR.
We returned it to the Germans with interest
It was in the match against Germany that Nagy also played in the home championship in 2019, after which he ended his national team career. At that time, the Germans defeated the Slovaks 3:2 with a goal by Leon Draisaitl and thus stopped their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals.
“I remember that match. We messed it up ourselves, because a minute and a half before the end we were leading 2:1 and suddenly in 30 seconds it was 2:3. At that time we had a well played tournament, the whole team played well and it’s a shame that it didn’t work out. But now we gave it back to the Germans with interest, so I’m happy for the guys.
They are playing a perfect tournament and it is not over yet. And I said even before the tournament that you can play with everyone, even if there are stars from the NHL. The match starts from 0:0 and everyone can be beaten. If the defense plays well, the goalkeeper catches well, then we will score some goals.
We can easily move on and there is no need to worry about it. You have to go after your goal. And since we are already playing for medals, why not go to the finals. I hope it works out for the guys.’
VIDEO: Editing of the match Slovakia – Germany
The German hockey players had four games in five days, striker Dominik Kahun told TASR before the game that they could use it for a better start to the game. But the rested Slovaks finally had more strength.
“I watched the Germans and I will say that Draisaitl can’t have 28 minutes in every game. It’s a lot of games and they’re crowded. I know it myself. I played 27 minutes in the NHL once and the next day I couldn’t get up.
That’s a lot for an attacker. He feels it in his legs. Stützle also had a lot of time on the ice, they played with two formations and those guys were drained and not in control. If they played 20 minutes every game, I think the Germans would be much more uncomfortable,” Nagy thinks.
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Offers from the NHL may come for several Slovaks
Today, the 46-year-old former forward also has a high-quality career in the NHL. He got into it in 1997, when he was drafted by St. Louis. After the Olympics, the way to overseas would also be open for some of VladimÃr Országh’s wards.
Some have already tried it there, such as Oliver Okuliar or MiloÅ¡ Kelemen, but they returned to Europe. Goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj is also on the brink between AHL and NHL. However, after the tournament, other interested parties could start to “hang around” around them again.
“Definitely yes. Kelemen played excellently against the Germans, and so did Regenda. I also liked Okuliar, he plays perfectly. Kelemen was in Phoenix, I was there when they played. Surely some opportunity will come and when they get an offer, they will go try it. Everyone wants to play in the NHL, everyone wants to get there. There are the best players in the world and it is certainly good that Slovak hockey has shown itself again.
I hope more of our younger players will be watched overseas and more of them will be drafted. Because when I played there, we had 40 players in the NHL. Now it is much less. So it would help our hockey,” added Nagy.
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MacKinnon is like a tank
At the Olympics, he also saw the duel between Canada, which has Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, the most productive players in the NHL this season, as well as another generational talent, Macklin Celebrini.
“McDavid played here in Milan first with Celebrini and Wilson, then the coach put McKinnon on one substitution and left it at that. It’s incredible how they pass. It’s different from how we Europeans pass, this is the beauty of watching them.
I played against MacKinn, he’s like a tank, it’s hard for him to take the puck. And McDavid is a player from another planet. I don’t know what to say, he is incredible. But I also liked the Americans, I saw their match against Latvia.
I don’t know if the overseas teams will face each other, but it would be an interesting duel. Both have quality, they skate, each player is strong on the puck, and the passes they give each other are bombs,” concluded Nagy for TASR.
