The Slovenian national ice hockey team has started this year’s IIHF World Championship Division I in Poland in a victorious fashion, defeating the team of Japan 7-1 at Katowice.

The Slovenian team had to bow to Japan at the past championship two years ago, but has won easily this time. In the first period, the spectators could only applaud for one goal. Lynx stepped up their game in the second period, scoring four goals. Ken Ograjenšek and Žiga Pance finished the job.

Statements after the match:
Nik Zupančič, head coach of Slovenian team: “We pressed on and on, until we crushed them in the second period. In the last period, we only needed to secure the win. The first match is always the hardest, but the boys have shown that they understand why they’re here. We broke the ice, and now we’re already thinking about Italians, who we play against [on Saturday]. This will definitely be a different team, and we’ll prepare ourselves for them. We can now watch how they played against Poland, and warn our players what to be careful about.”

Jan Urbas, Slovenian hockey player: “A well-deserved strong win. We stuck to what we had agreed on, forcing the Japanese to make mistakes. Our attack is getting better and better with each new game, and I hope it continues that way. If we stick to the plan we had made before the match, the team will play very well. Team spirit is our forte, and today was no exception.”

Kopitar not coming to Katowice
Despite a quick elimination of L.A. Kings from the Stanley Cup playoffs, their Slovenian player Anže Kopitar still won’t be able to help the Slovenian team at the world championship, the Los Angeles based team informed the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia upon their inquiry. “Such a quick elimination of the Kings had been unexpected, but it occurred. This opened up the question of Anže’s participation at the IIHF World Championship Division I Group A in Poland, with the Slovenian team already having played their first match [on Friday]. The Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia (HZS) initiated communication with L.A. Kings as soon as it became clear that the team is unexpectedly closer to being eliminated from the playoffs than playing in them. HZS contacted Anže and his employer regarding a potential arrival to Poland. The response of the Kings was short and to the point – no. According to his latest contract and a few new NHLPA’s rules, Anže would (and will) need to stay in the USA for at least five days (for meetings, medical examinations etc.) after his last match before being able to fly to Europe and helping Slovenia re-qualify for a place in Group A. Anže is thus staying in Los Angeles but wishes the Slovenian team all the best in Poland, and has added that he has firm belief in their success and return among the best ice hockey teams in the world,” HZS write in a press release.

T. J., MMC; translated by K. Z.