Matej Jurčák: “We try to play every game as if it were the deciding one.”

The Player of the Week in RAHL 2 is Matej Jurčák. His team, Alpha, managed to turn the game against Lions around and win 4:1. Jurčák was one of the hardest-working players on the ice, left his mark at key moments and spurred the team on to a disciplined performance. In the interview we go back over the decisive stretches, what worked in the Alpha Hockey Team’s system and what, on the other hand, still needs fine-tuning before the next rounds. We also talk about the locker room’s mindset after the win and where the team wants to head in terms of results.

1. An important win over Lions, and you are still keeping pace for a playoff berth. Was that topic also discussed in the locker room before the game?

Matej: “Definitely an important win. We went into the game knowing that we need to collect points if we want to talk about the playoffs at all. But it was more of an internal thing for each guy, knowing what’s on the table and what the possible outcomes are. I don’t think we devoted a special 5 minutes to the classic Slovak hockey calculator. We try to play every game as if it were the deciding one; sometimes it goes better, sometimes worse :).”

2. You were down 0:1. What was the spark that let you turn the score around in the end?

Matej: “Being down 0:1 was pretty frustrating. Especially after we couldn’t convert our chances (that’s a long-standing problem of ours), and when, after x minutes of pressing, the opponent suddenly converts a chance, it can knock you down mentally. But we knew (because the colleague sitting next to us kept repeating it nonstop) that we simply couldn’t stop playing and pressing, and that one would go in eventually, and a moment later that’s what happened. We managed to score the first goal (with a bit of luck, too), and after that things somehow got rolling and suddenly they started going in the way we’d pictured.”

3. One of the prizes for the Player of the Round is a voucher from partner LMT auto. Have you already changed your tires, or would you rather have your vehicle cleaned?

Matej: “This year I was very proactive and changed them back in mid-October. But I have a small child who rides in the back, so I’ll definitely use the cleaning :).”

4. Do you have a pregame ritual?

Matej: “It depends. Most of the time I’m one of the quieter ones in the locker room. After the game against Uličníci, though, we gave each other feedback: we were missing team spirit. As a first step and a new tradition, we introduced the option of taking a sip of the 52% team ‘sports drink’ before the game (the driver’s max), and I hope we keep this nice ritual going, because we’ve been winning ever since! And I think I’m also the only one who massages himself with a roller before the game.”

5. If you could have a song / goal horn for your goal, what should we play for you?

Matej: “Tomáš Klus – Pánu Bohu do oken, like most of my shots.”

Alpha Hockey takes more than just 2 points away from the 4:1 win. They confirmed their identity, handled the game tactically and set the bar for the rest of the season. Jurčák summed it up clearly: they need to stay focused, simplify their game at critical moments and keep driving to the net even when the score looks comfortable. The goal for the next games is clear: build on this performance, improve the details and turn that into more wins.

The Player of the Round gets a €20 voucher from our partner WILD THING and also a voucher from partner LMTAuto.sk, who will take professional care of your car. From league partner Diamant Sóda he receives a drinks voucher worth €30.