Wiser for last year and ready for the title. Hubek orchestrated Petržalka's advance with five points

The Player of the Week in the RAHL1 hockey league is Patrik Hubek of team HK Petržalka, who played a major part in the convincing 7:2 win over team Mad Vipers in the second semifinal game. With two goals and three assists he was among the main figures of the evening and helped his team advance to the playoff final. After the game we talked with him about his performance, the strength of the team and expectations ahead of the final series.

1. Two goals and three assists is an admirable performance. How would you rate your performance in the game?

Patrik: “I'm more of an occasional scorer, and the goals looked the part. One into an open net, and the other slipped through the players and the goalie unnoticed, like when you walk past the ticket takers into a disco without a ticket. I'm really happy about the assists, because the wingers worked great in this game, they kept calling for pucks at full speed going forward, and that makes the game easier.”

2. A 7:2 win over Mad Vipers in the second semifinal game. How would you rate your team's performance?

Patrik: “A great performance. From the opening faceoff to the final whistle we played exactly what we wanted to play. The evening time slot and the fans showing up gave us a boost.”

3. In the first game you struggled to score; in the second you managed to score as many as 7 goals. What do you put the improved scoring efficiency in the second game down to?

Patrik: “Vipers have a great goalie. In the first game we couldn't crack him. In the second we had to push harder to get shots off and be more assertive in front of the net. Fortunately, it worked.”

4. In the final you will face the surprise of the playoffs so far, Wild Hogs. How will you prepare for this game?

Patrik: “Wild Hogs will be a tough opponent; they've played demanding games on their way to the final. They got through a tense deciding game in the semifinals and their performances are building from game to game. But for now we're not adjusting our tactics specifically for the opponent. We're playing the same way we have all year. We'll see how the series develops.”

5. A year later, you will appear in the final again. Do you think HK Petržalka has what it takes to lift the cup overhead?

Patrik: “⁠⁠They say we're the most frequent finalist, but, well, we've lifted the cup overhead only once. It definitely helped us that the whole team went through the experience of last year's unsuccessful final. We don't feel any great stress ahead of the final now. You can sense determination in the players and a willingness to play for the team. Those are good cards to hold.”

After a dominant semifinal performance, HK Petržalka is thus headed for the final once again, where an awkward opponent, Wild Hogs, awaits. Patrik Hubek believes the team will put last year's experience to good use and this time will be ready to fight for the cup with everything it has. If it carries its form from the semifinals into the final games as well, Petržalka can believe in the overall triumph.