Photo Source: polskihokej.eu

Coming off two strong wins against Hungary, Poland looked to continue their momentum versus another common foe in Slovenia. With the THL finals coming to a thrilling end, Poland announced their full roster that will compete for a spot at the Worlds.

Forwards: Aron Chmielewski, Krystian Dziubiński, Bartosz Fraszko, Bartłomiej Jeziorski, Damian Kapica, Patryk Krężołek, Filip Komorski, Alan Łyszczarczyk, Krzysztof Maciaś, Mateusz Michalski, Grzegorz Pasiut, Dominik Paś, Igor Smal, Filip Starzyński, Damian Tyczyński, Maciej Urbanowicz, Kamil Wałęga, Patryk Wronka, Paweł Zygmunt.

Defensemen: Mateusz Bryk, Bartosz Ciura, Paweł Dronia, Kamil Górny, Marcin Horzelski, Oskar Jaśkiewicz, Maciej Kruczek, Marcin Kolusz, Arkadiusz Kostek, Kacper Maciaś, Patryk Wajda, Jakub Wanacki,

Goalies: Tomas Fucik, Maciej Miarka, John Murray, David Zabolotny

Radoslaw Galant is the only player from last year’s World Championship squad to not be at training camp this year. Defenseman Mateusz Zielinski was also cut after the first games against Hungary, he competed for Poland at the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers. Both players are currently not at 100% due to injury, which is what head coach Robert Kalaber said contributed to their absence.

The two games against Hungary were a breath of fresh air after the disappointment at the Olympic qualifiers. The games against Slovenia felt just like the matches against South Korea and Ukraine. This Slovenia team is going through some transition. The team is looking to get younger leaving some veterans off their camp roster this year. Slovenia is also still without some top players as they are still dealing with club commitments.

In game one, Poland lost 2-0. They failed to take advantage of some early powerplays preventing them from getting off to the strong start, despite their play dictating at times. Slovenia did not make the same mistake when Poland took back to back penalties early in the third period. Slovenia was able to score the first goal of the game on the powerplay. They would add a second goal 10 minutes later leaving Poland about half a period to score twice. At the three minute mark, Poland was giving a lifeline with a Slovenia penalty, but in that powerplay veteran Aron Chmielewski took a penalty making both sides equal again. Poland couldn’t pull Zabolotny until there was only a minute left. Poland failed to score despite leading in shots 31-26.

Jest jeszcze nad czym pracować przed mistrzostwami świata Elity 🏒

Słoweńcy "wytknęli" Polakom kilka mankamentów w grze 👀 pic.twitter.com/tngxERMSBl

— TVP SPORT (@sport_tvppl) April 19, 2024

The red and white had a chance to make things even in their second matchup with Slovenia. A few lineup changes looked to be the spark. Slovenia would strike in the first period to take the lead. Halfway through the game Poland would finally get on the board with a goal from Kamil Wałęga. Later in the second, Poland received a five on three opportunity but failed to capitalize. They fell apart in the third period and couldn’t put it back together. Bartosz Ciura really hurt the team after his confrontation with Anze Kuralt. On the ensuing powerplay, Slovenia would score to take back their lead. Poland would fail to score on one last powerplay opportunity before Slovenia found the empty net. Poland fell 3-1 despite winning the shot battle 28-23.

This two game set really felt like Olympic Qualifiers in a few ways. Poland failed to take advantage of their powerplays despite plenty of opportunities. The red and white played down to their opponent. Finally they let their emotions get the best of them during adversity. The team wasn’t prepared when things didn’t go their way. Key veterans took dumb penalties that were 100% self inflicted wounds. When Poland got off to good starts versus Hungary they were able to play their brand of hockey and thrive. When Poland doesn’t get a hot start they move away from their identity and start to damage themselves while trying to do too much. Poland will look to get back on track with matches against Great Britain on the 26th and 27th in Nottingham.

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