MINSK, 3 January (BelTA) – Slovakia will play to win every match, Slovakia Team captain Jozef Stumpel told BelTA when commenting on his team participation in the Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the Prize of the President of Belarus.
Slovakia scored an important victory over Switzerland 10:4 today. “At first we didn't understand the opponent's tactics but then seized the initiative in the second period. Despite the amateur status, the players showed good speeds and goal scoring skills. It's nice that I was invited to the veteran team of Slovakia. Here in Minsk I played for HC Dinamo Minsk and can tell and show my partners a lot,” Jozef Stumpel said.
He stressed that he wants to enjoy the game at the Christmas tournament first of all. “I am happy we beat Switzerland. Tomorrow we have a day of rest, will go sightseeing. Then we have an important group match against Russia. At the tournament we will play to win every match. After completing the professional career I long wanted to come visit Minsk. It is interesting to see Chizhovka Arena. When playing for HC Dinamo Minsk we were based at Minsk Arena. Chizhovka is another facility which I am curious to see,” Jozef Stumpel noted.
Jozef Stumpel played 16 seasons in the NHL (more than 900 matches) and then successfully played in European leagues. In the 2010-2011 season, he was captain of HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.
