2024-05-28 16:11:06
When the coaches of the Czech hockey gamers had been fixing the issues with the defenders earlier than the World Cup closing in Prague, they determined so as to add the defender Jan Ščotka to the roster as a substitute of the sick ahead Jakub Flek. So he jumped into an important match of the event with straight toes, after three weeks with out match observe.
It was not identified how it could be with defender Jakub Krejčík, who needed to endure nostril surgical procedure after the semi-final.
In the long run, he was prepared to leap into the finals, however the coaches additionally took Ščotka because the seventh again.
Earlier than that, the Brno hockey participant solely stayed in Prague as a backup with forwards Radan Lence and Michal Kovařčík.
There was no room left for them on the roster. They might solely entry it if somebody was unable to finish the MS for well being causes and the medical board would acknowledge it.
That is precisely what occurred to Flek, and the coaches took benefit. That is how the distinctive story of a Ščotka was born, who began solely within the closing and gained the gold.
At first he thought that he would solely benefit from the closing on the substitute. “I used to be nervous, however I did not count on in any respect that I must go on the ice. Then abruptly a Chair (protection coach Marek Židlický, notice ed.) says I’ll play,” described the Scot with a medal round his neck.
Earlier than he may go searching, he was defending the most important star of the Swiss. “Kevin Fiala was driving proper at me, and with an excuse, I believed to myself that I used to be in my ass. That I might appear to be a moron and spoil it for the boys,” he mentioned with a smile.
“But it surely wasn’t so dangerous, it labored out in some way. Nevertheless, it’s extremely demanding on the top and on the bodily preparation. It is unbelievable, actually like a dream. It occurred so shortly that I am going to want extra time to appreciate it,” he continued .
With Lenko and Kovařčík, they moved close to the staff, they got here to the cabin after matches, however in response to the principles, they may not practice with him. They went to the gymnasium, to the sauna, as soon as they went to slip in Letňany.
“At first it was unhappy, however we additionally appreciated this chance to remain right here. The house WC was an expertise for everybody,” mentioned Ščotka.
“The group was unbelievable and whoever arrived slot in. We, the blokes from the ‘taxi squad’ with Radan, Michal and the third goalkeeper Karl Vejmelka, additionally belonged to it,” he added, referring to the time period used within the NHL for touring substitutes on the time covid.
Ščotka shot from the “taxi drivers” to the ultimate lineup, however the others additionally loved the celebrations afterward. For instance, striker Kovařčík shared a photograph with a cup with the caption: “Even a substitute is simply human.” This, in flip, is a paraphrase of the message of former Třinec goalkeeper Martin Vojtek.
David Pastrňák talked about Ščotka himself within the interview after the ultimate. “It is our third joint medal. I am happy with him, he did not play the entire event and needed to begin in such a match,” talked about the scorer of the golden purpose.
With Ščotka, he gained the silver medal on the under-18 World Cup in 2014 after which additionally gained the bronze medal “A” on the championship in Tampere the yr earlier than final.
In the long run, the 28-year-old native of Vsetín performed precisely 4 minutes and ten seconds in Prague. He didn’t go on the ice within the third interval of the ultimate.
“The chair sensed that I used to be a bit dazed, so he pulled me down. I do not blame anybody, my head was at all times in heaven, what was occurring. It was lovely, the ambiance was unreal,” he mentioned.
“I actually wished a purpose for Paste, who else ought to resolve? And right here it’s,” mentioned the smiling Scotsman with the gold medal.
“Thankfully, the household additionally got here – the spouse and infant, the father-in-law, and my mother and father made it. I am glad that everybody loved it,” concluded the Komety defender.
Watch the interview with reporter Darina Vymětalíková: