After an outstanding Friday night where Fehérvár took care of business against Salzburg in the EBEL the ice hockey fans of Budapest were treated to a full day worth of hockey on Saturday.
The day started off with a tournament for the U10 age group, the parents had the opportunity to see their little ones flying and sliding around the ice right underneath the Vajdahunyad Castle, a memory that both the kids and the parents will remember for years to come.
In the early afternoon two of the top teams from the Austrian U18 league (EBJL) faced off MAC Budapest played host to Fehérvár's academy team. Needless to say the outcome fit the billing of two heavy weights facing off. MAC took a 1-0 lead into the third period but Fehérvár was able to tie the game up on a powerplay. MAC was able to take the lead back, thought, and hold off Fehérvár for the 2-1 win.
After the game István Koger, coach of the Fehérvár U-18 team said "this was a beautiful set up for the boys the ice was great, memorable for sure." Tibor Marton the coach of the winning side MAC had the same adjectives to describe the outdoor environment "this was a game that the boys will remember for years to come, playing outdoors on this rink." Marton continued on saying " we might have had a bit of advantage since up until two years ago we were still practicing outdoors, so this was not completely new to us. We played with four lines and because of this we were able to play within our system, I was also want to congratulate Dani Mazzag, I was happy to see him back on the ice."
After a thrilling match were fans were able to see the future of Hungarian hockey they were able take a look back at the past as two teams matched up that were made up of past legends. Krisztián Palkovics and Balázs Kangyal were the captains of two teams. Before the game defenseman Bence Svasznek hoped that were won't be any blood and that it will be all fun and games. When the same question was asked forward Roger Holéczy, with a laugh he said "we'll see what happens."
The opening line for Kangyal's team was himself paired with Rastislav Ondrejcík and the forwards were Holéczy, Attila Hoffman and Sándor Szilárd, a line that could easily still play in the MOL League. On the ice Palkovics' crew beat Kangyal's team 4-3 with László Pindák the player of the game having two goals and assisting on the other two. After the game Pindák said with a smile "two plus two is four".
"I just want to thank the organizers of the Winter Classic that they thought of us old boys as well and that were were able to give the fans a treat like this. It was pretty cool to play in an atmosphere like this," said Holéczy after the game. Hoffman said "even though I only retired last year I didn't realize how much I had missed playing in an actual game, it was fun to be back on the ice."
For goalie Levente Szuper it was a bit different since he was still in the national team only eight months ago. "It was interesting since I don't consider myself an old boy it was fun trying to play good but still let in some goals to make it a close game," he winked as he said this.
By the time the headliner match of the day DAB.Docler against Miskolci Jegesmedvék came around the fans were ready for it. Number of the old boys stuck around for the game but some current players also popped up as Árpád Mihály, Róbert Dömötör, Linus Schellin along with Dániel Kóger who is home from the States because of a small injury were all spotted in the stands.
Both teams skated out in custom designed jerseys for the game Dunaújváros came out in jazzed up versions of their home shirts with small snowflakes and an over all winter theme to it. Miskolc decided to go with more of an old school throwback look in honor of being 35 years old which was designed partially by head coach Bob Dever. It was a white jersey with a block letter M on it, but if one looked closer they could see that every name of anyone that had played a senior game for Miskolc there name was on it.
The game started off as a battle between the two goalies Janis Klanins and Dávid Duschek were going save for save. Late in the first period Balázs Ladányi took a feed from behind the goal and put it past Duschek for the 1-0 lead, early in the second period Jordan Knox fired one from the right wing to tie it up. The keepers kept on going toe to toe until about halfway through the overtime when in front of the net there was a scramble and Balázs Somogyi put the puck in the net for the OT win.
"The game was played in a great environment, but not in the usual environment and rink," said winning goal scorer Somogyi after the game. Imre Peteri said "the fans and the environment was great and it was an overall great game." Miskolc goal scorer Jordan Knox was absolutely blown away by the set up, "hats off to the organizers and to whoever else was involved with this event, it's just beautiful with the rink and the stands next to the castle."
On Sunday the headlining event will be Fehérvár taking on the winningest Austrian team, Klagenfurt.
Szabolcs Závodszky
@Zavodszky
Photo: László Mudra (MJSZ)