Despite announcing at the start of the season that the team will be working with a smaller budget than in the past Dunaújváros is right in the thick of the playoff hunt and are currently sitting in sixth place with a two point lead over Ferencváros. The past MOL League match week Dunaújváros picked up five out of a possible six points against Újpest, a 1-0 overtime win on the road and a 3-1 win on home ice. Hands down the biggest reason for the two inws was the outstanding play of goalie Dávid Duschek and that's why he is this week’s Player of the Week.
In the two games Duschek let in one goal in almost 123 minutes of play and stopped 99%of the Újpest shots. Dávid came up through the Miskolc youth system and represented Hungary at the U20 world championships. Throughout his adult career he has seemingly always teamed up with another goalie to form a great duo on winning teams. In the past he has worked with Szabolcs Pál, Dávid Gyenes, Richard Caládi, Krisztián Budai and last year with Bence Bálizs. Together Duschek and Bálizs backstopped Miskolc to the first ever treble in Hungarian hockey history as the team was Hungarian champions, MOL League champions and also won the Hungarian cup.
This season he has teamed up with Breton Lindoff as they have been the backbone of the team that has surprised everyone and are sitting in the final playoff spot. Duschek has played 18 games as Lindoff has played 14 as head coach Lee Gilbert has been strategically juggling the two keepers.
What was the key to Újpest only being able to score once against you in two games?
I think that Újpest is a really great team, and on paper they are a better team, because of this they probably had some pressure on them. we just stuck to our simple style. I think the key to the victory was the team chemistry both in the locker room and on the bus rides. I feel that the coaching staff has confidence in me and that gives me an extra boost.
You have been playing the MOL League since the start, how much has the league changed over the years?
The league is always changing, luckley in a positive direction, there are more teams, there are more great players, a number of good young players have grown up. The league is faster and more professional, both on the ice and outside of it as well.
What was the main reason for leaving Miskolc during the offseason and signing with Dunaújváros?
Last years Miskolc team was a really good team and they are playing great this season as well. I think they will reach the finals this season. I signed with Dunaújváros for one simple reason, I wanted playing time. In Miskolc they were expecting me to be the number two goalie for the upcoming season.
What was it like working together with Jukka Kontsas and are you working with a goalie coach in Dunaújváros?
I worked together with Jukka the previous two seasons and he was a great help during that time span. Before that I never really had a goalie coach, Jukka is a great coach and he showed me things that I am still using today. He taught me positioning and working in front of the net and stick handling as well. Unfortunately we do not have a goalie coach in Dunaújváros so I am working off of what I learned from Jukka in the past. I still talk to Jukka and I want to thank him for his work that he put in with me.
What is the environment like in the locker room in Dunaújváros and what is it like working with new team captain Imre Peterdi?
I think that Dunaújváros has the best environment and team chemistry in locker room, I think that this is our strength this season. Our team captain, Peterdi has a lot to do with this and before him Zsolt Azari as well. Peterdi is a player who has seen a lot and experienced a lot in hockey and because of this he has the respect of the team. I think I can say this for the entire team, but it is great working with him.