Hockey World Championship 2025: Interview with Pavel Regend after the match with Slovenia
Approximately 79 hours passed until the Slovak attacker Pavol Regenda finished the last match in the AHL and started a meeting in the jersey of Slovakia at MS in hockey 2025.
He was announced for a long time as a big reinforcement. « Paľo rescuer came, » one of the Slovak hockey players in the bowels of Avicii Arena also said when passing a mixzone after a meeting against Slovenia.
Regenda fulfilled the potential, he took care of the second goal of Slovakia. « Kňažo (Samuel Kňažko, note) fired nicely and it fell there. I’m glad, » he said.
What are your impressions of the first match at the championship?
It’s great. We managed this matches, we won. I think we checked most of the match, so I like three points.
Video: Pavol Regenda after a match with Slovenia
How are the head, hands and feet?
My head, my legs not much and gloves, so I have new ones, so too much. But I did it fine, I expected it would be worse.
How do you feel on a difficult journey?
I felt better than I expected. I am used to the fact that Jet Lag will come up to the fourth or fifth day. Then I have the worst. I hope that I will sleep properly today and it will go somehow faster.
You arrived in the venue of the championship on Saturday afternoon, and before the game you did not even practice training. When did the decision make you start?
The coach dropped out, they needed 12. The attacker, and because they want to keep one more place on the roster, I helped. We agreed with the coach that if I need a break during the match, he will give it to me. I’m glad I could help the guys.
The match could be divided into two parts. After an excellent introduction, the relief came. How did you perceive it?
The Slovenians had a match in their feet yesterday, it was visible at the beginning. We started great, but as typical Slovaks we make the match more difficult. We made a few mistakes and somehow got into the match.
We knew they had a quick counterattack and that was their strength. We got them into the match, apparently the biggest factor.
Coach Országh told one old truth before the tournament, and that the money is lying in front of the goal. So you have to be very rich after today’s match.
This is probably one thing that I am good at or what I do. When I want to play my game, helping the team, I have to stand in front of the goal. Kňažo (Samuel Kňažko, note) fired nicely and it fell there. I am glad.
You approached the goal several times during power plays. Did you have it agreed with the coach?
We knew they were playing a diamond. So it’s called, I don’t know if you know what it is. Three Horni players are occupied and so the space opens in front of the goal. We have to do that.
I had a few such opportunities there, it didn’t. But we have to continue to try it this way. This is the only way we can surprise in the power play.
Wide ice welcomed you in Stockholm. Did you get used to it during the match?
Extremely large playground. The guys told me before the game. When we have a puck in the attack zone, we can hold it longer, so it can be an advantage. But on the contrary, when he has an opponent, it is difficult to defend himself and attack. You just need to get used to it.
What is your overall impression of the Slovak team?
Super. We have many young players. I think there is a lot of talent, potential, and we will get into the system with every match and play together. I think we have a chance.
Slovakia is led by a new coach Vladimír Országh. If you compare it to the past, is it a lot of changes for players or is it approximately the same as you were used to?
So far I am only one day here, but it’s great. The coach brought something new, new energy and it looks nice.
Video: Match the match Slovakia – Slovenia at the World Championship in hockey 2025
