19.10.2018 - Derek O´Brien

Krupp: two games against the same team makes the game preparation easier

HC Sparta Praha had a busy start to the season, playing several games in a short period of time. Now, after a week off, the team has three games in four days starting on Saturday. Head Coach UWE KRUPP spoke a little bit about the last game in Třinec, and the team’s approach to the next few games.

After 11 games, what do you think of the Extraliga?
Overall, I would say it’s good hockey, the tempo and the pace of the games are high, and every team has a couple of players that you have to be aware of on the other side. Every team has good goaltending and the level of play has been good across the board.

What do you think of the no-goal decision in Třinec?
As a coach, you’re never totally objective. So when you see something like that, and you say, “That’s clearly not a goal,” somebody else isn’t necessarily going to see it that way. You have to assume that they’re not going to make a mistake, and even if they do, you have to assume that the next guy’s not going to make a mistake.

But don’t you think the call was unusual?
You know what’s unusual? The fact that it’s two years in a row for Sparta. The fact that there’s a mistake, that’s not unusual. When it happens two years in a row, it makes you think a little bit, but you have to leave it there because if you allow yourself to be consumed by those kinds of thoughts, you’re going to drive yourself crazy. But there was also the one goal where Lukáš Pech went through the crease, and if there’d been a review, we would have lost that goal. So here we got one, the other one was taken away, so it evens out. There’s a human element to all of this. People aren’t perfect, they make mistakes, but usually these things even out in the end.

What about in goal? Is Matěj Machovský going to start every game, or will David Honzík get a start?
No, we have a plan. Matěj’s not going to play all three games coming up – David’s going to play one of those games.

Some people around here don’t like that he plays for both Sparta and Slavia at the same time...
Yeah, I know, but he’s doing a great job. We watch what he does and we know he got a shutout last week, and it’s great. It’s close, so he doesn’t have to travel, so I think it’s a good situation. It’s Slavia, so it’s not like there’s nobody watching – he’s got some pressure on him, which is good. If it benefits both clubs, then why not?

Is Petr Vrána the kind of leader you have been hoping he would be?
He’s an important guy for us. He’s an experienced player and a good two-way centreman, so he’s not just a guy you put on the ice for the power play or when you’re down a couple goals, he can play in pretty much every situation. I know sometimes people get on him because they think he doesn’t score enough, but there’s so much more to his game than that, and I like players like him.

What about the upcoming game against Litvínov?
We have to be ready. They’ve had a great start to the season and, looking at their lineup, Lukeš and Hübl are two great, experienced players that we have to be aware of. Hunkes is the offensive defenceman, they have a great goaltender, so I think we’re well prepared for what’s coming. We have to make smart decisions with the puck, get through the neutral zone quick, spend some time in the offensive zone and not be afraid to shoot the puck. I think, sometimes, we pass up on too many shots and try to make a better play.

You have two games against them coming up soon. Does that change the way you prepare for the games?
Well, it makes the game preparation easier. When you’re getting ready for the second game, you can show the guys clips of themselves (from the first game). Instead of watching them play somebody else, you watch them play against you, and I think that’s better for the players to see. The players always pay attention more when they’re in the video. (laughing)

Any word on when Jan Košťálek and Richard Jarůšek will return to the lineup?
I think Jaro is still gonna need a little time – maybe next week. Kosta is day-to-day. He’s practised the last two days and I think there’s a chance. We’ll see on Friday.

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