Hockey World Championship 2025: Interview with Samuel Hlaja after the match with Slovenia
Should have been a clear unit Slovakia to MS in hockey 2025. Nevertheless, he first stood in the goal in the second match at the tournament.
Goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj watched a loss with Sweden from a bench, Sunday victory over Slovenia enjoyed on the ice.
Representation to win 3: 1 he pulled 17 interventions. He collected twice, but the exact hit from the Drozga stick was not recognized after the coaching call of Slovak coaches.
After the match was traditionally well tuned and in the mixzone gave smiles.
How would you evaluate the match against Slovenia?
Satisfaction prevails. We have three points, we increased our confidence that we will certainly need against Austria.
Video: Goalkeeper Samuel Hlavaj after the match with Slovenia
How does the goalkeeper feel at the middle of the match only five shots?
It was a tough match, but especially in my head. It is difficult when they do not fly on you. I had to focus on every single shot. But it was possible to handle it.
What do you think about when the pucks are not directed to you?
Over everything. I tried to keep the match and not think of something that could upset me.
At 3: 0 Slovenia reduced Drozga, but the Slovak bench took a coaching challenge. Did you know it could be an offside?
I had no idea if it was an offside. I just looked at what they were going to invent. In the end we succeeded.
Slovenians later threatened especially in the third period. At 3: 1 you pulled a brilliant surgery with a catch. How did you see the situation?
I saw the puck going, I moved and suddenly the player. I didn’t know what to do, so I just pushed my hand and it hit me.
It’s my robot. I’m here to get the goals. I always try to help the team. Even because they can rely on me when I pull out a nice procedure. It would be better if I don’t have to pull them out.
The Slovaks played two -thirds quite dominant, but in the third came the relief. Will you say something to your teammates?
I don’t know what happened. Maybe in our heads we were satisfied with the result 3: 0 or 3: 1. I’m not afraid of that. We have something to build on in the next matches. We increased our confidence and we are going on.
After a long time you caught on wide ice. Was it difficult to get used to various reflections and angles?
Not. We have already trained here, and we also had the preparation in a larger ice rink. I have already got used to it, it wasn’t a big difference.
Goalkeeper coach Ján Lašák criticized the goal, which he thinks are strange. Did you perceive this problem during the match?
I don’t know, I didn’t focus on it. I was my head in the match and I didn’t solve it. I noticed it in the training, it was a bit slipped from there, but there was no time in the match.
Video: Match the match Slovakia – Slovenia at the World Championship in hockey 2025
