Slovakia defeats Hungary in first FISU game at Cheel Arena in Potsdam

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Photo courtesy of Lake Placid 2023.

POTSDAM — Team Slovakia defeated Team Hungary 4-0 in the first event of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Cheel Arena.

The Krasnoyarsk 2019 FISU World University Games silver medalists saw a balanced scoring attack with point production from seven different players. Defensemen David Hilek and forward Peter Sandor scored one goal each in the second period, with Ian Marcinko and Richard Petras notching goals of their own in the third. Petras also contributed two assists.

“We knew that it would be a tough game because everybody’s a strong team here,” said Slovakia Head Coach Roman Sykora. “We tried to push hard from the beginning, but the most important thing was that we scored that first goal, and our momentum was much higher then.”

After a scoreless first 20 minutes, Slovakia took control of the game in the second period with an offensive line comprised of Petras, Sandor and Lukash Kuba. Team Slovakia outshot Hungary 11-2 in the second period, and 38-18 overall.

“Coming into the second period we just couldn’t get comfortable with our system and the game. Slovakia found the goal and that gave them confidence,” said Hungary Head Coach Marton Vas.

Goalie Michal Vojvoda made 18 saves in the shutout and will look to stay perfect in Slovakia’s next matchup against Great Britain on Friday, Jan. 13 in the Cheel Arena at 8 p.m. Hungary will take the ice next against Kazakhstan at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13 in the Cheel Arena.

With the victory, Slovakia moves to 1-0 in pool play while Hungary falls to 0-1. The top two teams in the pool consisting of Slovakia, Hungary, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Korea and the United States will advance to play in Lake Placid’s newly renovated 1980 Herb Brooks Arena at the famed Olympic Center, site of the “Miracle on Ice.”

The men’s semifinals are Jan. 21, and the Jan. 22 gold medal game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games is an 11-day competition and educational festival that features 1,443 collegiate-athletes, ages 17-25, from 595 universities across 43 countries. The competition consists of 12 winter sports and 86 medal events contested throughout northern New York, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, North Creek, Canton and Potsdam.

Fans can follow the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with @lakeplacid2023, @savewinter, #savewinter and #lakeplacid2023.

For complete schedules, results, photos, and more information about the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games or to purchase tickets, visit www.lakeplacid2023.com.