Tkachuks drove the Slovakian players to the brink of rage - "The emotion took over"

MILANO.

Slovakia was unable to provide any resistance to the United States in the second semifinal of the Olympics.

The USA decided the game in the second period and ultimately toyed with a 6-2 victory. After the match, Slovakia’s superstar Juraj Slafkovsky lamented his team’s indiscipline.

– It’s a bit frustrating. If we had started better and not given them so many free opportunities. There’s no need to dwell on it anymore, we have to be ready for the bronze match, Slafkovsky said.

The Montreal Canadiens winger was asked if it was beneficial that Slovakia had already beaten Finland once in this tournament, in the first round of the group stage with a score of 4-1.

– It’s definitely a good thing. We know how to play against them, but the upcoming encounter is completely different from that opening game of the tournament. Now it’s for a medal. Both want it, and this will be a much tougher game, Slafkovsky said.

At the same time, the 21-year-old young man emphasized what mistakes his team cannot repeat against Finland from the USA game. The game against the USA was a constant cycle of retaliation and poking after situations. In particular, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk managed to completely throw the Slovak players off their game.

– We need to make sure that we are ready from the very first whistle. We can’t take stupid penalties, we can’t lose the puck as much as we did against the USA, and we need to shoot more.

The United States knew from the start which strings to pull. The Slovak players were unable to keep their heads cool at any point.

Right at the end of the game, three ten-minute misconduct penalties were handed out. Leaving the locker room early were Slovakia’s Erik Cernak and the Tkachuk brothers from the USA.

Washington Capitals’ Martin Fehervary commented on the situation as follows:

– Everyone knows what the Tkachuks do. It didn’t surprise us. The emotion just took over.

Jaakko Perttilä
X: @JaakkoPerttila