In the championship, which starts on May 10 against the Finns, but only three goalkeepers and twenty-two players can play in the field. “Some are already knocking on Prague’s door, and some are not,” admits Rulík, who is scheduled to make his final nomination announcement about two hours after Sunday’s match with the Swiss.
“No cut is easy. We are looking for the most suitable options towards the championship and it is necessary to consider all the pros and cons, including how the players can be used in different roles and situations on the ice. I want to have a clear conscience in this direction,” thinks Rulík, who suggests that some cut will take place already on Saturday evening after the fight with the Swedes.
However, there may be other players from overseas who will end up in the playoffs. “Each of the boys who are in Brno is now fighting for their chance. “Competition is a good thing, and the training sessions are quite fast even with a large number of players,” explains the coach.
In the remaining two appearances at the Betano Hockey Games in Brno, the Czechs want to make up for Thursday’s 1:4 defeat against Finland. Although they will be fighting for a place in the nomination for the home world championship, it will also be about getting the national team in a winning mood.
“I see a lot of room for improvement, especially in the area in front of the goal. We also need our shots to be really dangerous for the opponent’s goalkeepers. The efforts of all the players are great, but we have to work on these specific things. The execution of chances at speed was not quite right in the first game,” thinks coach Radim Rulík, who has a clear idea of the composition of the team for Sunday’s match of the Swiss, who started the Betano Hockey Games with a home defeat in Kloten against Sweden, which is already a certain EHT champion.
“I’ll see if something forces me to change the plan and get involved somehow,” adds Rulík, and he has no worries that the large number of players at the final camp in Brno should have a major impact on the game. “Look at Canada. She will meet at the airport and put the manchaft together in a few days, I really don’t see a problem with that. What is important is what we can transfer to the game,” he suggests.
While four defenders and six attackers will have to be out of the round before the World Cup, for the trio of goalkeepers, who all flew in from overseas, it is more about the distribution of roles. “I’m not going to hide it, we’ve already talked about it with the boys so they know what they’re up to. I’m trying to get all three of them comfortable before the championship. For the most part, I have it all sorted out in my head, but for now it is useless to reveal anything,” goalkeeper coach Ondřej Pavelec remains mysterious.
