Photo Source: HockeySlovakia.sk

Poland faced a crucial test on their journey to the World Championship in their penultimate warm-up game. The red and white traveled to Slovakia for a match, a significant step up in their competition. They were up against a formidable lineup that included NHL players Tomas Tatar and Simon Nemec. For Poland, the question remained if this was the team they expected to take to the Worlds. The outcome of this game should provide Poland with some answers to the roster they don’t want to hear.

Poland got off to a pretty rough start. Some of it was self-inflicted, and others were really unfortunate errors and bounces. At the top level though, Poland doesn’t have any room for mistakes. They have to be almost perfect if they want to have any chance of winning. Slovakia claimed a 3-0 lead in the first six minutes. Poland started to settle down things a little, but their opponent just felt so much faster and better technically. At the end of one, it was a 4-0 for Slovakia with a 17-4 shot advantage. 

Poland finally settled things down in the second, some of that was Slovakia taking their foot off the gas. While the Slovaks were still in control by a wide margin, a few Polish forwards could keep pace and generate a few chances. Poland also tightened up defensively. Overall, the penalty kill did well in this game. There were some moments that hurt and showed what Poland can’t do at the actual World Championship. Veteran forward Maciej Urbanowicz took what could have been an extremely costly penalty. It has been a continued theme for Poland during the warm-up period. Too many older leaders of this squad taking untimely and poor penalties. Both teams kept it even in the second, so our score stood 4-0, with a shot advantage of 14-5 for Slovakia. 

Maciej Urbanowicz is a 37-year-old veteran. Why he is still in camp and playing while taking penalties like this makes me fear Poland just sees this year's Worlds as a chance to reward veterans instead of an opportunity. pic.twitter.com/uUxEii52W6

— Polish Puck (@PolandHockey) May 3, 2024

It would not be a shutout for Stanislav Skorvanek, as the red and white finally broke through early in the third. A great play by Wronka set up Pasiut, who had to make a somewhat difficult shot, but it found the back of the net. Poland played some of their better hockey of the day after that goal with some momentum. Alan Lyszczarczyk would create a good chance after a strong backcheck. Poland would even draw a couple more powerplays that ended up going nowhere. Towards the end, Slovakia would start to gain back the momentum and they found the net once more. Their fifth goal came off a really unfortunate and poor play that featured Pasuit breaking his stick leading to an odd-man rush which saw Poland collapse in their own slot. A sixth Slovak goal came in the final minute after a delayed penalty led to what looked to be Polish players stopping on the play. Your final would be 6-1. 

Poland opens the third with a goal! Pasiut from Wronka and Ciura

4-1 🇸🇰 pic.twitter.com/MVMeTnJGxC

— Polish Puck (@PolandHockey) May 3, 2024

At the 2022 Olympic Qualifiers, Poland lost to Slovakia 5-1. That Slovak team was better on paper, but still, this was the expected result. This game could and should have been worse than the already lopsided final. Murray is a true savior for this country. Poland has a lot to clean up and has to find a better way to start games. This team is at its best when they can get a hot start and play Polish hockey. That hasn’t happened during the road to the World Championship outside the two games against Hungary. Poland’s veterans have been the biggest letdown. I am currently questioning if Poland sees the event as a chance to reward veterans instead of the opportunity that this is. It is a chance for Polish hockey to promote its players and take a step forward. If they see it as the reward at the end of a long journey for plenty of veterans, why would they even fly over to lose? Save on airfare if that is the plan. If Poland hasn’t realized how fast the top level is, and how slow their veterans have gotten, they’re going to be embarrassed and waste the opportunity to grow the sport. Young players like Krzysztof Macias HAVE to be on the roster. To end on a bright note. Both Wronka and Zygmunt had strong games. Wronka especially really showed off his speed and puck skills generating a few big scoring chances.

If you want to keep up with all the Polish hockey action, make sure to follow us on Twitter @PolandHockey, like our Facebook page, and add us on Instagram @PolishPuck_. Also, support us on Patreon to help keep the content flowing!