Patrik Hubek: “We scored an early goal, everyone was up to speed, and we were able to create chances and bury them.”

The Player of the Week in RAHL 1 is HK Petržalka forward Patrik Hubek, who shone with a hat trick against defending champion Wild Thing Karaoke. In a season in which a strained groin has slowed him down and he has only been on the ice sporadically, he picked the perfect moment to make himself heard on the scoresheet, and three times at that, against one of the best teams in the league. He talked about the game, the injury and what the hat trick is now going to cost him in the locker room in a short interview.

1. A hat trick against Wild Thing Karaoke. How would you rate your performance in this game?

Patrik: “I don’t score a lot of goals, so everybody at home asked me whether the other team was playing without a goalie, haha. Putting three past Pekin is even rarer.”

2. For the second time this season you managed to beat the reigning champion. How would you rate your team’s performance in this game?

Patrik: “It felt like everything clicked for us. We scored an early goal, everyone was up to speed, and we were able to create chances and bury them. WT wasn’t at full strength, but they always have quality, and we’re glad we got the bad taste of last week’s loss out of our mouths.”

3. You’ve only been on the ice sporadically this season. Were you dealing with an injury?

Patrik: “Yes, I strained my groin. It kept me out for 5 weeks. We’ve got guys in the locker room who play through worse injuries, so I can’t be a wimp, but it needed time so the injury wouldn’t come back.”

4. Scoring a hat trick surely means you’ll have to bring something for the locker room. What are your goals worth in your locker room?

Patrik: “Phew, since they’re going to see this article, now I really will have to bring something, so thanks a lot. The guys are big on staying regularly hydrated, so I guess that’s the way “the wind will be blowing.” By the way, my dad was at the game too, so I told him that every time I score a hat trick, I’ll take him out to lunch. He doesn’t give me much hope of it happening again, though :).”

Hubi’s hat trick against Wild Thing Karaoke is not just a line in the stats but also a clear signal that HK Petržalka has a player up its sleeve who can step up in key moments, even after a five-week layoff. The bad taste of last week’s loss is gone, hydration in the locker room is evidently taken care of, and his dad can look forward to at least that one well-earned lunch.