They wanted to stave off elimination, survive clinical death. Anyway, the game played on Thursday was not important. However, the hockey players from Zlín showed that they can play brilliantly even in critical moments, they showed the best overall performance in the semi-finals of the Chance League and deservedly tied the game at 3:3.
Rams assistant coach Richard Kapuš.
| Photo: for Deník/Jan Zahnaš
“We subordinated everything to play the seventh game. The approach of the boys was excellent, we proved what we said to ourselves in the morning before the match, i.e. one more time we want to travel five and a half hours to Litoměřice,” Rams assistant coach Richard Kapuš had only one scenario in his mind.
The cobblers flew into it, in the first period they didn’t give the opponent a good sniff, they allowed him only one overnumbering. In the second act, they already struck twice – on the power play the first goal in this year’s playoff was scored by Holík, the 32-year-old center also later pulled off a precise assist, benefiting Salmio. The home team kept the lead until the end of the match and celebrated a very important victory. They achieved this thanks to an emphatic game and physical hockey.
In addition, the opponents allowed only 13 shots for the entire Thursday match.
IMAGE: The Rams deflected the match point! Holík decided, Huf picked up zero
“We told the players that they have to be tighter, more in contact with the opponent. Litoměřice are a young, very good skating team, they can develop great speed. If we fear them and back away, we will give them space. However, the boys complied with everything, it was clear that they wanted a lot. The result has arrived,” Kapuš praised the Zlín hockey players.
However, the Slovakian coach also wonders why the Aries’ performances are sometimes so diametrically opposed. “I’ve been playing hockey since I was five, but I don’t understand it myself,” he said flatly.
“I guess it can’t be explained. There are circumstances that affect it. The boys put their heart into it, their fighting spirit, they did their best. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t.’
A big factor in the Rams’ win on Thursday was their fans, with 4,712 in attendance for the pre-holiday game.
Holík and Finy saved the Rams. But I don’t understand them at all, he laughs
“Hats off, they are fantastic. In the playoffs, he creates an excellent backdrop for us at home and away. They are our support. The boys feel it,” says Kapuš clearly.
In addition, some sent encouraging videos to the players before the important duel.
“It was a huge emotion for me. I can honestly say that I have never experienced such a gesture during my playing and coaching career. We just have to thank them. We will do everything to get where we want to be,” emphasizes the 51-year-old coach.
Whether the Rams can do it will be seen on Saturday, starting at 5:00 p.m. the seventh game of this semifinal is scheduled. It could be clear around 8:30 in the evening.
“Although we are playing away, the psychological advantage is on our side, we played a good match. Both teams know each other to the letter, including the systems and the players themselves. It will be about a bigger heart,” realizes Richard Kapuš, who arrived in Bať’s city less than a quarter of a year ago.
Without a doubt, he will want to extend the season and already on Tuesday stand at Lapača at the beginning of the final of the Chance League against his rival from Vsetín.
