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October 31, 2004
Znojmo-Kladno
Znojmo's game today had a bit of oddness to it. During the first period, play seems to have been stopped a number of times for fog-like conditions. That didn't prevent Znojmo from getting down 4-0 though! They did battle back to a single goal deficit, their third goal requiring video review.
FTP is back to working, so there are some new photos available (although not from today's game).
Posted by jz at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2004
FTP problems
I found some new (old) pictures a couple of days ago, but I can't connect to the site via FTP. Because of the way the photo galleries are set up, it's too tedious to upload new pictures manually, so there will be no photo updates until this resolves itself. On the bright side, once it does, there will be a lot of new stuff to look at!
Posted by jz at 04:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2004
Groin Sparta
Havlat is unexpected to play tomorrow against Sparta, as his groin is still bothering him. He tried to take part in Monday morning's practice, but had to leave early.
Posted by jz at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2004
Against Trinec
Marty is not playing againt his former club, Trinec, as he is out with (let's all say it together!) a groin problem.
Posted by jz at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2004
New Pictures 1021
Posted some pictures from the Vsetin and Sparta games.
Posted by jz at 08:15 PM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2004
SportStyle Interview
After a convincing win over another bottom-feeding team (Vsetin), Znojmo returned to their losing ways against Sparta. Havlat himself seemed to have a particularly blah game (one headline announced that he "didn't dazzle"), then rushed off with Elias to watch the Sparta Praha - Manchester United interleague football game. Overall, that was a pretty dull event also.
In more cheerful news, Hana sent another translated article! I know most of you are too lazy to actually comment and say thank you, so I will speak on behalf of all of us: Thank you so much, Hana!
This is from the September 14th issue of SportStyle magazine.
A long time ago, we witnessed Martin Havlat and Patrik Elias shaking hands for the very first time. Place: Air Canada Centre, Toronto. Event: NHL awards ceremony. Back then, who would have thought these two players would become great friends? Havlat looked quite scared with his bright yellow hair, but Patrik was feeling comfortable in the posh environment. It was after Martin's first season in Ottawa and he was nominated for Rookie of the Year.
SportStyle: Martin, three years have passed since that awards ceremony. You've gained many experiences in the NHL. What's your view on the previous seasons?
MH: Of course you change and you improve your skills. You're more experienced and you know how much you can risk on the ice. Sometimes I freak out, like in the game against Philadelphia when I hit Recchi in his face with my stick. Fortunately he didn't get hurt. But all of it was just because he was constantly hooking me. My nerves flipped and I wanted to punish him somehow. Of course not into his head.
SS: You've been playing really well during the World Cup, especially together with Patrik Elias. Why?
MH: We're friends, sometimes we go for a cup of coffee together. Luckily we're doing this well on the ice, too. We played together against Finland and then the coach (Vladimir Ruzicka) added David Vyborny into our line and it was perfect. The guys are skilled, they play really well and they are technically skilled. I regard Patrik highly because he's one of the best NHL players. I think all the offense lines (on the Czech team) are perfect. The quarterfinals against Sweden showed that Vladimir Ruzicka decided really well. Sometimes we need good luck but we didn't expect the quarterfinals would be that easy in the end.
SS: Canada is like your second homeland. Last year you were arguing about the deal with Ottawa and this year the league probably won't even start.
MH: Negotiations haven't come to any resolution and it seems the lockout will last for a longer time. I don't know. And arguing about a deal is a part of hockey, just like unexpected trades. I'm not going to let anyone pull my leg. Frankly, I wanted to play so much, but not for all costs. When I didn't like something, I told them. They were maneuvering and in the end we made the deal anyway. At least I could experience the Extraliga. Sparta was full of great people--players, masseurs, trainers.
SS: There is lots of money in the NHL. Do the players envy each other?
MH: Players' salaries are a public matter so there's no room for envy. In Canada, hockey is a number one sport so you have to get used to reading many things about yourself in the newspapers. It's like soccer in Italy.
SS: Are you afraid of losing your privacy?
MH: Not really, I keep many things for myself. Sometimes your honesty returns to you as a boomerang, in a bad way. I'm a hockey player so I prefer to answer only questions which are concerning my sport. I can't imagine being in Jaromir Jagr's skin and not being able to do anything without the critical attention of the public. You're constantly under control. It must be really psychologically demanding. Jarda [Jagr] is my great friend, too. Sometimes we go for a dinner and talk about hockey matters.
SS: In Salt Lake City, he told you not to have such a respect of him and not to pass him the puck at all costs. Did that make you feel good?
MH: Words of such an awesome player always make you feel good. But it was my first time at the Olympics and I was there to repeat the Nagano winning. I felt a big responsibility and I didn't want to spoil anything. In the World Cup, I'm few steps further. It's important to be a great team, have a positive attitude on things. Of course if we were in Sweden's skin, there would be no room for jokes.
SS: When did the Czech team catch the pace of the others? (World Cup)
MH: We were worried and depressed because we couldn't score. But in the last period of the match against Sweden, we proved it's not impossible. We didn't give up. We couldn't go home with such disgrace. That cheered us up and gave us a new energy for the Quarterfinals. But of course we want to fight till the very end. The World Cup is a prestige tournament. Pity is that it's so early, the players aren't in their best forms.
SS: You're known for being a collector of jerseys. I've heard you have Wayne Gretzky's. Is it true?
MH: Yeah, I bought it in an auction. It cost 60 000 CZK [Hana: approx $2400 US]. But I'm not only into hockey jerseys, I'll be really happy once I'll buy Mario Lemieux's though. I have Marek Jankulovsky's and Tomas Hübschman's as well [Hana: they're Czech soccer players]. I met Tomas when I was playing for Sparta. Soccer is one of my biggest passions, too. Of course I went to Portugal to see Euro 04. It was awesome. I really wish the Czech soccer team will make it to the World Championships.
SS: It's said you bought a house for you parents last Christmas.
MH: Mom and Dad did so much for me. My father supported me in my hockey career. If it weren't for him, I'd never have made it to the NHL. But I didn't want the press to find out about it because it's no one's business what I do with my money. [jz: So, shh, this is our secret]
Posted by jz at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2004
Pardubice, Slavia
Not a lot to report. Marty's played a couple of games, both losing efforts, and racked up more penalty minutes than points. Actually, the whole team seems to be a little frisky lately, bringing in an impressive 111 penalty minutes in the last two games. Hockey Rodent has a little more information on the game against Pardubice in particular. After today's game against Slavia Praha, it looks like Marty's speaking out a bit about the refs.
If you know of (or author) any fansites for specific players, drop me a note with its information. I don't want to become a link farm, but I know how deeply buried some sites get in the search engines. They may not end up on the front page, but I've added a link page just for this purpose.
Posted by jz at 04:56 PM | Comments (78)
October 08, 2004
Znojmo Game 3
After a 4-1 loss to Vitkovice, Znojmo bounced back and managed a 4-0 victory over Jihlava. It'd be more meaningful if they were a better team: they were just promoted to the Extraliga this season while Ceske Budejovice (temporary home to Prospal and Dvorak) was relegated to the 1.liga. Nonetheless, Marty got a goal and an assist and probably went home happy.
In Jes Golbez's Hockey Rants, a reader named Misha commented that he attended the Znojmo-Vitkovice game, and while Elias and Havlat stood out offensively (despite their lack of production), they were very lazy defensively.
I added a few new pictures from the past two games.
Posted by jz at 08:44 PM | Comments (10228)
October 04, 2004
New Pictures
Posted some new pictures from Marty's first game with Znojmo, and some stalkerish ones of him watching a football game between Brno and Teplice.
Posted by jz at 03:41 PM | Comments (1)
October 03, 2004
First Znojmo
Havlat and Elias played their first game for Znojmo today, each assisting on one another's goals in a losing effort to Zlin.
If you're interested in how other Senators players are doing with their lockout teams, the information is available here.
Posted by jz at 03:54 PM | Comments (2)