Goalie Kazík shuts the door: Alpha beats the favorite by the narrowest margin, 1:0

In RAHL2 we saw a game in which every detail mattered, and above all the goalie. Team Alpha handled the game against Uličníci in the tightest way possible and, after a 1:0 win, takes very valuable points. The main figure of the evening was goaltender Richard Kazík, who shut the door, withstood the favorite's pressure and recorded a shutout. How did he see the game, the mini-duel with his friend at the other end of the rink, and what does he expect from the fight for the playoffs?

1. An admirable performance and a shutout against Uličníci on top of it. How would you rate your performance in this game?

Richard: “The game was special for me, and I felt all the more nervous for it. Because at the other end, in the Uličníci crease, was Luke Ďurža, who is a very good friend of mine, and whenever we play against each other we treat it as a kind of friendly mini-duel. So I tried to approach it responsibly and keep it scoreless for as long as possible, which in the end, on my side, worked out for the whole game. Shutouts are definitely not just my doing – I have guys in front of me who always help me out on defense.”

2. Before the game, your opponent was considered the favorite. But in the game you put in an excellent defensive performance and you are taking home a valuable 1:0 win. How would you rate your team's performance?

Richard: “RAHL 2 is a league where anyone can surprise anyone. Even though we're not among the top favorites for the title, we've already managed to surprise a few times. That's why we always go into a game knowing that anyone can win, and we don't look at the points much. This game was no exception: we played our game, we built on our defense and, thanks to the work of Jakub Supuka, we surprised them with a goal. Sometimes that's all it takes to win.”

3. ⁠Thanks to the win you have moved up to 6th place in the standings. Do you think you have what it takes to hold on to a spot that guarantees the playoffs?

Richard: “A ticket to the playoffs would be the big win of this season for us. I think that after this round we're a little closer to it. We still have 6 regular-season games ahead of us, and they can change everything. I know it's going to be a tough fight, but I believe we'll hold on in the end.”

4. ⁠Getting a shutout in hockey is more of an exception than a regular thing. What is your shutout worth in your locker room?

Richard: “A shutout is nice, I've managed it a few times this season already, but as I said, I take it as the result of teamwork. If I could, I'd trade those shutouts and Team of the Round selections for team points in the standings. Then maybe we could even be first.”

A 1:0 win over the favorite is the best possible boost heading into the final phase of the regular season. Richard Kazík showed that he is not only a great goaltender but also a team player for whom the success of the group comes first. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for team Alpha to stay in the top six so that we get to see them in the elimination battles as well. We thank Richard for the interview and wish him many more successful saves.

With the 1:0 win over Uličníci, Alpha kept its playoff hopes alive and showed that in RAHL2 nobody wins on reputation – it comes down to team discipline and performance in the key moments. Richard Kazík confirmed that a shutout is not about one player but about the work of all five skaters in front of the net. And if Alpha keeps up this approach in the remaining six rounds, the playoffs may no longer be just a goal but a reality. The Player of the Round receives a €20 voucher from our partner WILD THING and also a voucher from our partner LMTAuto.sk, who will take professional care of your car. From league partner Diamant Sóda he receives a hydration voucher worth €30.