By winning their first two games in regulation time, the Slovaks had already clinched first place in the Deutschland Cup with one game still remaining. After a long delay on Saturday night, they finished their game against Germany late and started Sunday at 11:30 am. Nonetheless, they beat Denmark 3-2 in a shootout to finish the tournament undefeated.
“It was very long and playing the next day at 11:30 is not easy,” Slovak coach Craig Ramsay told Šport.sk. “I’m certainly not used to it. The Danes played hard and fast and especially in the first period they gave us a hard time. But we found a way to win. We played as a team, we acted as a team and worked together.”
The Deutschland Cup had both men's and women's tournaments. For a recap of the women's tournament, which was won by host Germany, click here.
Thursday, Nov. 7:
Austria 0 – Slovakia 1
Germany 5 – Denmark 6 (SO)
Saturday, Nov. 9:
Austria 3 – Denmark 2
Germany 2 – Slovakia 6
Sunday, Nov. 10:
Denmark 2 – Slovakia 3 (SO)
Germany 6 – Austria 0
After not being chosen for the Olympic qualifying team, former NHLer Peter Cehlarík, the top forward at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, was named to this team as captain. Playing on the top line with Martin Pospišíl and Lukáš Cingel, Cehlarík had a goal and an assist in three games.
“We had some disagreements, but now we understand each other very well and I think he understands his role on the team,” said Ramsay. “He likes it and is good at it, and the players like him too. He is still very goal-oriented, he never takes the easy way, and that’s what a real leader and captain has to do. I mean, I just would like to see a guy with his talent shoot a little more.”
Samuel Takáč led Slovakia with three points – all in the win over Germany.