This afternoon at 4:00 PM the Hungarian U20 national team will be taking on USA U18 at the Tüskecsarnok. Icehockey.hu cought up with coach Dávid Kiss along with one of the rosters olderst and youngest player as well in Bence Stipsicz and Ákos Nagy respectivly.
The coaching staff announced the line combination for this afternoons game as well as the order in which the goalies will play. All three keepers well play one period against the U.S.
Coach Dávid Kiss: Today’s morning practice was much better than the earlier practice sessions, it is clear that the boys are feeling more and more comfortable on the ice. If they can get past who the opponent is today then I don’t think we will have any problems. The team is moving well, the first two days we only scimagged but since then we have been implementing the tactical elements and today the game plan what we have set up to face the United States.There are still some smaller hiccups but this is natural after only 3-4 days on the ice. We do not plan on playing a passive style of hockey against the U.S. The key to our success will depend how well we can adjust to their team speed and not give them space to create. We will need to be consistent in our defensive zone.
The veteran and most experienced player on the Hungarian roster is Bence Stipsicz at the age of 19, Stipsicz spent the previous season in the MOL League and also made his senior national debut and played in the A-Pool World Championships as well. Along with Zsombor Garát the two D-men need to be leaders both on and off the ice for the rest of the squad.
Defenceman Bence Stipsicz: We have a different role with the U20 team, this time around we are the one that need to show the way and pull the team with us. This is completely different what was expected of us with the senior team where we just had to fall in line and do what the other players showed us. I think if we come together, which we will, and do what the coaching staff has asked from us then we will have a great game. We can’t play against elite hockey countries as if they will really beat us badly. They are all really great players but they are not that much better. The are also humans and they will also make mistakes and we will need to take advantage of these mistakes. We will need to skate well and we need to be ready as they will be faster and stronger than what we are accustomed to but they are not superstars, they are humans just like us. We need to step on to the ice and work hard.
The youngest player on the team who is only 16 and was born at the end of 1999 will be on the top forward line and a lot will be expected from him despite his youth.
Ákos Nagy forward: I am very happy that I was given this opportunity, it feels great and I hope to live up to the expectations. I was a bit surprised when the coaches told me what they are expecting from me. I am very familiar with Andor Péter as we have played together for the past four seasons but I also feel comfortable with Martin Sági as well, so everything should go well for us.
Lineup veerse the U.S.
#1 B.Kiss (#25 Szeles, #20 Garbacz)
#5 Stipsicz, #10 Szabó
#17 R.Kiss, #2 Fejes
#7 Garát., #6 Tóth
#3 Bukor, #8 Sarcia
#22 Á.Nagy, #23 Péter, #4 Sági
#24 P.Kiss, #9 Kreisz, #15 Szigeti
#14 Szabad, #12 Molnár, #21 Z.Nagy
#11 Csiki, #13 Majoross, #16 Székely-Mádai
Roster:
Goalies (3): SZELES Martin (Fehérvár AV19), GARBACZ Máté (UTE), KISS Bence (DVTK Jegesmedvék)
Defencmen (8): SZABÓ Bence (Fehérvár AV19) FEJES Nándor, SARCIA Antonino, TÓTH Gergely (MAC Budapest), BUKOR Rajmund (Vasas SC) KISS Roland (Casper Coyotes, WSHL), GARÁT Zsombor STIPSICZ Bence
Forwards (12): SÁGI Martin (DVTK Jegesmedvék), CSÍKI Attila SZÉKELY-MÁDAI Gergő (Vasas SC), KISS Patrik, NAGY Ákos, PÉTER Andor (Fehérvár AV19), KREISZ Brúnó, MAJOROSS Barnabás, SZIGETI Ákos (MAC Budapest), MOLNÁR Dávid (Debreceni HK) SZABAD Kevin (Vienna Capitals, Austria) Zoltán Nagy
Coaching Staff
Head Coaches: Svasznek Bence, Kiss Dávid
USA Roster
Goalie (2): Cayden Primeau, Keith Petruzzelli
Defencmen (8): Tyler INAMOTO, Reilly WALSH, Clayton PHILLIPS, Ben MIRAGEAS, Mikey ANDERSON, Tommy MILLER, Ronald BRICKEY, Joey KEANE
Forward (12): Alexander CHMELEVSKI, Nick PASTUJOV, Mark KASTELIC, Ivan LODNIA, Matt MILLER, Brannon McMANUS, Ryan POEHLING, Mick MESSNER, Evan DOUGHERTY, Charlie DOVORANY, Dylan SEITZ, Austin PRATT
Coaching Staff
Head coach: Clarke DONATELLI
Assistant coaches: Pat BOLLER, David LASSANDE, Nick FOHR, Phil OSAER
GM: Kevin McLAUGHLIN
