After gaining three points in the game against Michalovce, we welcomed team from Poprad on our home ice in the 46th round of the Tipsport League. Even the beginning of the match showed us the game will be packed with fast hockey and lots of chances to score. There were several promising opportunities for the Steelers, but they did not manage to overcome the goalie from Poprad. Poprad scored the first goal of the match and the players left the ice with the score 0:1. The second period started with power play, but our players didn't manage to take advantage of it. The score of the match was finally changed in the 16th minute when Jakub Sukeľ scored a goal. However, tied score didn't last too long, Martin Belluš managed to score another goal just a minute after that. Neither team was able to score until the end of the match, so the Steelers won the game with the final result 2:1. We interviewed our boys immediately after the match.

Roman Faith:

How would you rate today's match?

"Today's match was quite combative, we gained three important points. The hockey was more defensive, team that made the most of it won."

In recent matches, the coach puts you in the second formation, how do you feel about it?

"Today, it was third game in a row I played in the second formation, except the match against Michalovce. I'm really glad for this chance, it's great to play in the second formation with players like Dávid Skokan. Thanks to the coach for this chance, even though I haven't used it to my liking in today's match."

What do you think is the biggest difference between young team and A-Team?

"I only played two matches for a young team this season, but it surprised me as well. There's a big difference in the A-Team, especially in strength and trainings. Strength is also a big difference in matches."

You're one of the youngest players in the league, do you feel that some of your opponents pay special attention to you?

"I don't know if they pay special attention to me, but I think that no one wants to be overpowered by some young boy. I just focus on myself and victories."

Jurij Repe:

After scoring second goal, you joined a little fight that broke out in front of our goalie. What happened?

"There was a fight we all joined in order to protect our goalie, we stood for each other."

Poprad has several overseas players in the cadre, how do you play against these players?

"It doesn't matter, we prepare for every match in the same way, the coach tells us who we should keep our eyes on and what to do. Every match is different, it doesn't matter whether someone is American, Canadian or Slovak."

You play in defensive pairing with Žiga Pavlin, how do you feel about this collaboration?

"I think it works, we play well together, we understand each other on ice. It would be nice to score a goal or to assist in order to help the team. Then it will be great."

A folklore group sang in your dressing room after the match, do you like Slovak folklore?

"We have many folklore groups in our country as well, it can be said that it's national music in our country, so it's like being home. Sure, it's really nice after the match."

Marcel Haščák:

Derby against your hometown Poprad. What were your intentions for today's match?

As always, we wanted to give 100% performance and win the match. I'm grateful to the whole team for fighting and winning today."

Poprad is the only opponent you haven't yet scored against. Were you even more motivated?

"Everything comes to an end, I hope we will be successful next time, even though I could score or assist today. We won and that's the most important thing."

Victory against Michalovce on Wednesday, today's victory against Poprad. Can we say that the dominance of our team in Eastern Slovakia was asserted?

“That's right, we also wanted to thank our fans for their support, for going to the game, and I'm glad we won both matches. I hope we will play our best game.”

Martin Belluš:

Last season, you played for Poprad, are these matches somehow specific to you?

"I think it's a little specific for every player when he plays against the team in which he played last season, so I got a little more motivated before the game."

There was a little fight between you and your opponent's defense man Mike Dalhuisen five minutes before the end of the second period, did he try to provoke you?

"He needed to calm down a bit, so I told him something, nothing more."

Today, you scored a goal after a beautiful pass by Jakub Suja, what do you think about the whole situation?

"Jakub was well placed behind the net, he got the puck and saw me, passed it to me, so I tried to find the free space and score a goal, I was successful, and I am glad for it."

After gaining three important points, we occupy the third place of the league table with 88 points. The second one is Banská Bystrica with the same number of points. Slovan Bratislava remains at the top of the table with one more point. Our hockey players will play the next match on 12 February against DVTK Jegesmedvék Miskolc. The next home match will take place on 16 February at 15:30 against MAC Ujbuda.

HC KE Media Team (zek)