Gudas saw the positives despite the defeat to Finland. Form at the World Cup will be important, he says

“However, we lacked a more emphatic ending. We have to improve this before the start of the World Cup. But overall I liked our performance. We fought until the end. However, next time we have to be more careful about weakening,” the 33-year-old Anaheim defender knew.

Gudas was pleased that the Czechs created a lot of chances. “I’m glad for that. This time it didn’t go well for us in terms of shooting, but in the next matches we will definitely think of something,” he hoped.

Since Anaheim did not make it to the playoffs in the NHL, it now had about a two-week game break. “But I think I got into it early. I was started by a hard hit on the first shift. This is something I need for my well-being on the ice,” smiled Gudas.

He admitted that he is still getting used to the wider European rink. “You can tell by the angles of bounced pucks. There is a little more time for everything, so I believe that this will be reflected in the accuracy of the plays. We still have a week to polish,” he knows well.

The Czech hockey players will face the Finns again in a week in Prague in the opening match of the world championship. “In this respect, it was a very instructive match. The Finns have extremely dangerous counterattacks. We will have to focus on that,” Gudas realizes. “The coach also reminded us right after the match. We have a lot to improve, but we managed the pace of hockey. Despite the loss, I saw a lot of positive things on our side,” he claimed.

He praises the cooperation with the Spartan Michal Kempný, with whom he started in the defensive pair. “We played together already in the youth categories in naroďak. And for Washington too. We therefore know what to expect from each other. We can satisfy each other on the ice,” he is happy.

Gudas returned to the national team after five years. “I’m very happy for that. I consider it a great honor to play as a handyman. If I can, I come every time. The match against Finland was already a great experience for me. The backdrop was great in Brno. In addition, the championship awaits us in front of Czech fans. But for now, it’s still just preparation,” he pointed out.

Gudas believes the national team will continue to improve. “There are other guys here who have had a long break from the game now. With the next matches, we will definitely step up our game. It will be important what form we will be in at the World Cup,” he realizes.

Before the press, Gudas spoke to his father Lee, who was also an excellent defender, after the meeting with the Finns. “My brother-in-law and father-in-law were also in the audience. I hope you enjoyed the atmosphere here. Dad played in Brno and he remembers well the kind of scene Kometa supporters can create,” he recalled.

He is curious about how the coaches of the national team will distribute their strength in the next two matches of the Brno tournament. The Czechs are waiting for the Swedes in Brno on Saturday, the Swiss on Sunday. “I wouldn’t mind playing in both games,” Gudas confided.

So far, he is missing in special power-up formations. “There are players here who are used to starting outnumbered. I have no reason to stuff myself in there. But if the coaches want to use my hard shots, I will definitely not fight back,” he says.

Gudas doesn’t mind that there are still 37 players in preparation for the home peak of the season. “Competition is a good thing. Due to this, the training sessions are quite brisk in such a high number. But the ice is destroyed a little faster with them,” revealed Gudas.

He met some of his national team teammates for the first time in Brno. “It’s a bit of a recognition card for me. But I enjoy it, the boys are smart,” he managed to find out in just a few days.