Player of the Round Róbert Dobrý: He took down the favorite with five points, but highlights team spirit

The players of team AHS have a successful game behind them, one in which they managed to beat one of the favorites of the competition, team Black Jokers. Although the win was decided above all by a selfless collective effort, one name stood out in the stats. Forward Róbert Dobrý shone with a fantastic 5-point night and so played a major part in earning valuable points. In the postgame interview Róbert told us what was behind this success, what ambitions AHS has ahead of the approaching playoffs, and also what unusual “ritual” troubles most players in the league outside the arena.

1, An important win over a strong opponent, Black Jokers. How do you rate this game from a team standpoint? Did you tell each other anything special before the game about how to play against Jokers?

Róbert: “Yes, a quality team performance is always a very important factor in beating an opponent this strong, and especially so in our case, since I think that this year we don't have individual stars as strong as some other teams have. For that reason we always have to focus on exactly that – teamwork, sacrifice, helping the goalie, but also players helping each other. The tactics weren't anything special; before every game we tell each other basically the same things, like defending responsibly, quick line changes, enjoying the game if possible and, of course, not getting hurt.”

2, You put up an impressive 5 points in this game. How did it feel out there, and has Brutko already told you what you have to contribute to the team for the hat trick?

Róbert: “It felt good. We opened the scoring after just a few minutes with a kind of lucky goal, when I accidentally bounced the puck off my teammate Tóno, who gave it back to me in front of an open net. The game is easier right away when you're cashing in on your chances. After that we got more goals off the rush, or from the odd rebound in front of the net. I'd say we were very efficient with our finishing, which was also important in the end. As for the hat trick, Brutko hasn't told me yet that I'd have to contribute anywhere, but if it comes to that, I'll gladly do my duty.”

3, AHS currently occupies the middle of the standings – what were the team's goals before the season?

Róbert: “The middle of the standings has become kind of a traditional spot for us over the last few years. I think we're fairly happy with where we are right now, also considering that we had a slower start and in the first half of the season we were somewhere around 8th to 10th place. As for team goals, we don't usually set anything specific before the season. Goals are hard to set, since we never know in advance, for example, what attendance at games will be like, whether key players will be able to show up regularly, or what our overall form will be. But I think the classic goal is, of course, to make the playoffs, and then to finish as high as we possibly can.”

4, One of the prizes for the Player of the Round is a voucher from Wild Thing Karaoke. Do you have a song you put on before a game?

Róbert: “I don't have a song that I play specifically before a game. But in general I like music and various genres, especially oldies, rock, country or jazz. My favorite songs include, for example, I Was Made for Lovin' You by Kiss, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, or some stuff from artists like Abba, Modern Talking, Michal Tučný and so on.”

5, A lot of hockey players have various pregame rituals – do you have one too?

Róbert: “I don't have a pregame ritual either, at least not a conscious one. (Unless I count the ritual of looking for a parking spot outside the arena – I think a lot of players in the league have that one too.) But there are surely some things I do automatically without even knowing about them, whether while getting dressed or during warm-up. Maybe I'll try to create one and see if it somehow helps me play better.”

We thank Róbert for the interview and congratulate him on a great individual performance and the title of Player of the Round. We are keeping our fingers crossed for team AHS in the fight for the best possible position in the standings ahead of the elimination stage. We trust his scoring touch will last and that any contribution to the team fund for the hat trick won't hurt too much. And who knows, maybe the prize itself, a voucher for Wild Thing Karaoke, will reveal new hidden talents in the AHS locker room – whether on hits by Kiss or by Michal Tučný.