MS in hockey U18 2025: Slovaks were close to medals. How did they respond?
Frisco. Slovak representatives occupied at MS in hockey under 18 years 2025 In the Texas, USA eventually unpopular 4th place.
Home Americans in a bronze match succumbed to 3: 4 after overtime.
The same result was achieved in the previous two years. Semifinal participation is a great success for Slovakia, but the coach and players felt that the medal was close.
« The guys left everything there and the people who watched this match in Slovakia are proud of them. Because what they were able to play with America, 3: 3 and lead the match to overtime is admirable. I am proud of each one.
He also experienced similar feelings last year, when he also occupied 4th position on the bench of Slovakia. Up to 10 players from last year’s championship had a team this year.
« Now this moment hurts us because we were close. I wished it very much, they were an incredible team, they are like one family, they deserved it very much, but when we look at it later, we will appreciate how much success it is for us, » added Dendis.
Video: Cutting of Bronze Slovakia – USA at the U18 World Championship
Captain Luka Radivojevič also followed the fact that the Slovaks were the Americans.
« It was a very balanced match that resulted in the extension. Unfortunately, one shot was divided into the goal from the bronze, » he said.
He also praised the team: « We had a very good game here, they are great hockey players and good people. I believe we will repeat it in the future and it will turn out even better. »
One of the central characters of the bronze match in the Slovak team was Michal Svrček, who scored two goals at the end of the second period. He sent the Slovaks to the lead 2: 1.
« The Americans were a strong opponent, but I think we played with them for 60 minutes and then in overtime. They won this match and we’re sorry, » he said.
But he also knows that despite the loss, it is a success: « It failed and now regrets, but I think we all realize what we have achieved with hindsight. But now it hurts. »
The bronze match had everything. Quality, emotions, debatable exclusions and impressive turnover.
Favorized Americans led 1: 0 after the first period, but Michal Svrček turned to 2: 1 at the end of the second period.
The Americans later turned to 3: 2, but Ján Chovan at 53:13 min after a great action Matúš Lisý equalized to 3: 3.
In the extension, the Americans were a better team and finally got a winning goal. The decision was made at the 66th minute from the stick Ben Kevan, who cleverly between the legs of the defender Lisý surprised Michal Risel in the goal of Slovakia.
The Americans shot the Slovaks in the attempts on the goal 33:26, but in the second period it was 13: 6 in favor of the Slovak team.
The same result, ie 3: 4 after overtime, lost the Slovaks two years ago in a bronze battle with Canadians. At that time under the leadership of Tibor Tartal.
The Slovak eighteen has two medals from the U18 World Championship. In 2003, young Slovaks won silver from Jaroslavli, previously in 1999, reached bronze in the German cities of Füssen and Kaufbeuren.
