Uličníci are breathing down the leader's neck, but Badalov cools things down: I don't care about the standings, it all gets decided in the playoffs

In RAHL2, the Player of the Week award went to Christian Badalov. Against HK Petržalka he collected 4 points (2+2) and pulled Uličníci to a clear 5:1 win. How did he see his performance, what decided the game against their neighbor in the standings, are they thinking about a push for first place, and what did his preparation look like during the Christmas break?

1. Two goals and two assists against team HK Petržalka. How would you rate your performance?

Christian: “Well, games against Petržalka are always tough and goals don't come easy in them. So I was happy about it, but the main thing is that we won.”

2. An important 5:1 win for your team against your neighbor in the standings. How would you rate your team's performance in this game?

Christian: Well, I think that once again every single one of us put in an excellent performance, we battled and we enjoyed the game. That's why we won.

3. There are 4 games left in the regular season and your team is 2 points off first place. Can your team fight its way to first place down the stretch?

Christian: “Well, I don't know about my teammates, but personally I'm not focused on whether we finish first, second or third. Because the playoffs are what matters, and that's where it'll show who's really where.”

4. It was the first game after a long Christmas break. How did you prepare during the break?

Christian: “Well, I didn't put much into it, but on 24 December I went to play a Christmas ball hockey tournament, and other than that I was on the ice maybe once.”

Badalov summed it up without any theatrics: he was happy about the points, but nothing comes for free against Petržalka and the win is what matters. In his view it was once again the team that decided it – the fighting spirit, the good mood on the ice and an honest effort from every single player. And he doesn't worry much about the standings: first, second or third place is nice, but it is the playoffs that will decide. What's more, he didn't push it after the break – one Christmas ball hockey tournament, one time on the ice… and it still ended in a dominant return and a 5:1 result.