WC: Team Slovakia

[Outofbodyinhungary]

Can't really see anything in the attached picture, but we're choke-masters extraordinaire.

No one can lose in as spectacular fashion as Slovaks can. Possibly no other nation is so weak mentally and psychologically. (See the two missed Olympic qualifications around the turn of the century – those were similar to last night.)

That doesn't mean we're dumb or lack skill. But we're monumentally weak mentally and psychologically. And coupled with unwarranted pride, obstinacy, and refusal to take advice from others in many situations, that's a recipe for self-destruction.

The way Slovakia managed to lose last night's game was so absurd and far-fetched it actually made me laugh out loud (out of shock).

Despite all that and another disaster of a home championship, and Pyeongchang, Version 2 (thanks for the correction, Urbanskog), the team's play this year and in previous years has been like day and night.

Massive improvement overall, just inability to finish it off. I wish Ramsay could stay for another couple of years. If not, the "new regime" under GM Šatan should definitely continue. We just need to be patient.

The worst thing that could happen now would be, just because this tournament is another disaster for us, to get back to the old ways, to the Vůjtek and Cíger type of hockey. Yep, those WC tourneys were disasters as well (apart from the flash-in-the-pan 2012), but also Slovakia's hockey was excruciating to watch. This year, it's been a joy to watch Slovakia play in every game – just the results are missing, for the time being.

We are too stubborn and prideful, which has been our downfall at many times. The one thing that I will say about this tournament is that we are competing at high level, we are playing well and in every game. Compared to last 2-3 years which was almost unwatchable

 

[Faterson]

We are too stubborn and prideful, which has been our downfall at many times. The one thing that I will say about this tournament is that we are competing at high level, we are playing well and in every game. Compared to last 2-3 years which was almost unwatchable

I completely agree. You managed to say in 5 lines what I said in 5 paragraphs.

Well, just like we managed to scramble out of those two Olympic qualification nightmares around the turn of the century, and the "Golden Generation" was the result, we need to hope that the current nightmare will serve as a learning lesson for our younger players in years to come.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

The only thing I can say about last night's game is that trying to score the 3:2 goal so hard with two minutes to go was a huge tactical mistake on our part given that the game going to OT would suit our chances of making it to the QFs more than Germany's chances. Sometimes trying to win very hard means that you end up losing.

 

[elMatador]

That team has no true leader. Sekera, Nagy, Marincin, Panik are just a spare parts, zero leadership quality.

 

[stastny12]

That team has no true leader. Sekera, Nagy, Marincin, Panik are just a spare parts, zero leadership quality.

This is a huuuge crap

 

[SoundAndFury]

It seems like Slovak hockey community is in their own little tournament of bad takes. The team has legitimately played way better than expected and everyone is just so eager to come up with new, original take to poop on them.

From outsider's perspective, pretty disgusting.

 

[elMatador]

This is a huuuge crap

Brainfart after a brainfart from an experienced guys.
After the gift from USA they needed only 1 point from either of the next 3 games with FIN, CAN, GER.
Game with Canada.
Right after Liska scored 4th goal giving Slovakia 2 goal lead again Tatar made a stupid crosscheck to change the momentum. Canada scored on PP right away.
Game with Germany.
Panik missed a wide open net.
6:25 min to go. Nagy with no stick took a boarding penalty to put Slovakia under pressure.
2:20min to go. Jaros made a weak attempt to ice the puck.
2:06 min to go. Marincin made even worse attempt to ice the puck. Germany scored right afterwards the equalizer.
40 seconds to go. Marincin instead of keeping the possession of the puck lost it in the offensive zone forcing the play. Germany goes on a quick breakaway and scores the game winning goal.
These mistakes were done all by players with an NHL experience. When the game was on the line these guys mentally crumbled. Whether it was 2 min or 2 seconds to go.
Weak goaltending of course didn't help them either.

 

[Jakk123]

It seems like Slovak hockey community is in their own little tournament of bad takes. The team has legitimately played way better than expected and everyone is just so eager to come up with new, original take to poop on them.

From outsider's perspective, pretty disgusting.

Who cares how we play when the end result looks like this? Tell me, when was the last time you saw such a meltdown happen two games in a row. And we are playing at home ice. I literally don't even know what to say anymore, it's always the same shit, I'm tired of our hockey.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

It seems like Slovak hockey community is in their own little tournament of bad takes. The team has legitimately played way better than expected and everyone is just so eager to come up with new, original take to poop on them.

From outsider's perspective, pretty disgusting.

You have to understand that most Slovak posters on here were spoiled watching Slovak NT in its prime and that put things in a wholy different perspective . If the Finns started missing out on QFs regularly, I can bet you that the Finnish posters on here woupd find ways to put their Team down too.

I guess I'm a bit "lucky", that I have only started watching the NT more closely around 2008, and the early 2000s are more of a childhood memory for me and I have absolutely no recollection of the Czechoslovak NT. So I am pretty used to seeing mediocrity in Slovak NT and anything more only surprises me. So a good night's sleep was all I needed to get over last night's loss .

All that said I think that it's not unrealistic to expect the team to struggle in the next there games. The last two losses did nothing for Team morale and the team has already shown that they struggle under pressure.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Who cares how we play when the end result looks like this?

That's the whole point. They have 3 points after games against the USA, Canada, Finland and Germany. The end result looks more or less how any sane person had expected it to look. And yet, everyone's up in arms.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

That's the whole point. They have 3 points after games against the USA, Canada, Finland and Germany. The end result looks more or less how any sane person had expected it to look. And yet, everyone's up in arms.

Yes, because everyone expected we would have 3 points that actually matered.

I am a bit torn on this. The Germans have all the points they need, but I have watched all of their games and as a 3rd party spectator I can say that I feel like I have suffered in those games, because their game plan hurts my eyes. But from a tactical standpoint purely, they have the upper hand over Slovakia.

 

[Jakk123]

That's the whole point. They have 3 points after games against the USA, Canada, Finland and Germany. The end result looks more or less how any sane person had expected it to look. And yet, everyone's up in arms.

I don't get you. Expectations can change based on performance. The team has been playing better than expected, we were literally seconds away from having the QF berth in our control and still, we find a way to lose. I wouldn't understand it if someone was even remotely satisfied with this. I'm not saying we should jeer at them, even though I admit that I myself used some swear words yesterday .
EDIT: And as the poster above me said, there's a huge difference in 3 points vs USA and 3 points vs Germany, as they are our direct competitor for the QF berth.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

I don't get you. Expectations can change based on performance. The team has been playing better than expected, we were literally seconds away from having the QF berth in our control and still, we find a way to lose. I wouldn't understand it if someone was even remotely satisfied with this. I'm not saying we should jeer at them, even though I admit that I myself used some swear words yesterday .
EDIT: And as the poster above me said, there's a huge difference in 3 points vs USA and 3 points vs Germany, as they are our direct competitor for the QF berth.

Still, I think you shouldn't give up on the Slovak NT alltogether. They never cease to surprise, good or bad. It's frustrating to watch, but you never know when they might pull out another 2012 IHWC or 2015 WJC from their sleeve. Sometimes, a hot goalie is all it takes.

I find that having a second adopted team that might actually win something in these tourneys helps with the frustration of Slovak NT. So I just cheer for Sweden alongside Slovakia, haha.

 

[elMatador]

That's the whole point. They have 3 points after games against the USA, Canada, Finland and Germany. The end result looks more or less how any sane person had expected it to look. And yet, everyone's up in arms.

The games with USA or Canada showed they can play with anybody. However their bad habit as a national team is to play down to an opponent. If they end up with the same number of points as Germany it makes a big difference where those 3 points came from.

 

[Jakk123]

Still, I think you shouldn't give up on the Slovak NT alltogether. They never cease to surprise, good or bad. It's frustrating to watch, but you never know when they might pull out another 2012 IHWC or 2015 WJC from their sleeve. Sometimes, a hot goalie is all it takes.

I find that having a second adopted team that might actually win something in these tourneys helps with the frustration of Slovak NT. So I just cheer for Sweden alongside Slovakia, haha.

Yeah, that's true. I mean, I probably won't give up on our NT altogether, but still, such meltdowns just shouldn't happen. A single point from the game yesterday could've been of tremendous value for us. I was angry when Germany scored to make it 2:2, but what happened then.. I just couldn't believe it. Do those guys even realize what that one point could mean? I also wonder what were the directions from the coaching staff. Trying to decide such crucial game in the last minute, just after letting in the tying goal. What a way to screw everything up.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

Yeah, that's true. I mean, I probably won't give up on our NT altogether, but still, such meltdowns just shouldn't happen. A single point from the game yesterday could've been of tremendous value for us. I was angry when Germany scored to make it 2:2, but what happened then.. I just couldn't believe it. Do those guys even realize what that one point could mean? I also wonder what were the directions from the coaching staff. Trying to decide such crucial game in the last minute, just after letting in the tying goal. What a way to screw everything up.

Yeah, I have mentioned the same about trying to get 3 points instead of holding onto that 1 point was outright stupid.

We should have learned that trying to get all the points you can isn't always the best option back in Torino 2006.

 

[Outofbodyinhungary]

When the moment is biggest, Slovaks always seem to come up the smallest. Anyone remember when we shocked Italy in 2010 World Cup than played the eventual finalists (Holland) to the wire. The spirit was there, the understanding and belief. Now going into Euro 2012 qualifiers, we have some expectations to do well. And what happens? We play like absolutely f***ing shit. It’s always “what if” with Slovaks in sports, and in history too but that’s a can that shouldn’t be opened. Too much acceptance to remain average, we aren’t even that small of a country either yet we play like one. I’m always going to cheer my heart out for Slovakia, but maybe it’s time to accept this is genetic.

 

[stastny12]

At least, we still can hope that Germany will beat USA as we did. If the hockey god is fair, the Germans will win...

 

[Faterson]

From outsider's perspective, pretty disgusting.

From insider's perspective, too. A disgusting tournament – a well-rounded nightmare, just like in 2011.

The weather has been suitably nasty, too: cold and rainy and grey – very uncharacteristic for Slovakia and this time of year.

Seems like the gods themselves decided to exact punishment on the Slovak nation with this event. Well, we must have deserved that somehow.

 

[Faterson]

I also wonder what were the directions from the coaching staff.

None?

 

[Nexon]

And who knows what would happen if you played Denmark tomorrow, people would go completely nuts if Danes score 0,5 s before the end.

 

[Outofbodyinhungary]

Yeah, that's true. I mean, I probably won't give up on our NT altogether, but still, such meltdowns just shouldn't happen. A single point from the game yesterday could've been of tremendous value for us. I was angry when Germany scored to make it 2:2, but what happened then.. I just couldn't believe it. Do those guys even realize what that one point could mean? I also wonder what were the directions from the coaching staff. Trying to decide such crucial game in the last minute, just after letting in the tying goal. What a way to screw everything up.

Ramsay doesn’t speak Slovak so the instructions were probably at most him saying “zhon” and “dobry”. He tells assistants to translate and they are just as clueless, by time it happens the puck is in our net.

 

[slovakiasnextone]

At least, we still can hope that Germany will beat USA as we did. If the hockey god is fair, the Germans will win...

I have great doubts that we will see this German team do anything more than they need. And even if they should, we would still need Canada to beat the US.

From insider's perspective, too. A disgusting tournament – a well-rounded nightmare, just like in 2011.

The weather has been suitably nasty, too: cold and rainy and grey – very uncharacteristic for Slovakia and this time of year.

Seems like the gods themselves decided to exact punishment on the Slovak nation with this event. Well, we must have deserved that somehow.

That's an interesting perspective . You know given the lack of rain in early spring, the current weather is actually a blessing, the soil in Slovakia was extremely dry before the Brits brought their kind of weather to Slovakia Maybe the way this tourney went also will be some kind of blessing, haha...

 

[slovakiasnextone]

And who knows what would happen if you played Denmark tomorrow, people would go completely nuts if Danes score 0,5 s before the end.

It would probably be a repeat of that 6:0 Danes game (from 2010, I think).

 

[stastny12]

The weather has been suitably nasty, too: cold and rainy and grey – very uncharacteristic for Slovakia and this time of year.

Global warming