Slavia Prague, one of the most prestigious ice hockey clubs in the Czech Republic, is currently facing a crisis. Since their relegation from the top league in 2015, the team has struggled to regain their former glory. Last year, they were eliminated in the preliminary round, and this season, it is clear that they are fighting for survival in the first league.
The team is currently three points behind Znojmo, who are second to last in the league. Kolin, who is in tenth place and currently in the promotion playoffs, has an eight-point lead over Slavia. Pardubice „B“ and Frydek-Mistek are also ahead of Slavia in the standings.
The new year started off poorly for Slavia, with four consecutive losses. However, two victories in the last week against Trebic and Kolin have given the team a glimmer of hope. Every win is crucial for Slavia at this point, but they are aware that one victory alone will not be enough. They need to string together a series of wins to improve their chances of survival.
The team has a solid roster, with players like Matej Beran and captain Tomas Knotek, who have extensive experience in the top league. Edgars Kulda has played in the KHL and represented his country at the World Championships. Defensemen Karel Klikorka and Frantisek Hrdinka recently represented the Czech Republic at the U20 World Junior Championship.
The pressure of being at the bottom of the league may be affecting the team’s performance, but according to the club’s owner, it is not the reason for their current situation. He believes that their losses are the result of on-ice performance issues, which he does not want to discuss publicly at this time. The focus now is on rectifying the situation and avoiding the worst-case scenario.
If Slavia fails to surpass Znojmo or any other team in the league, they will face the „hell“ of the second league next season. The second league is divided into two divisions, with a total of 27 teams competing. Only one team will be promoted to the top league.
Slavia last played in the second league in 1978, and returning to that level would be a major setback for the club. However, the owner remains optimistic and believes that they can turn things around.
Since taking over the club in 2019, the owner has stated that he will only be satisfied when Slavia returns to the top league. Despite their current struggles, he stands by his statement. He acknowledges that the team is not performing well, but he believes in the coaching staff and the players‘ ability to improve.
In November, Slavia made changes to their coaching staff, replacing head coach Daniel Tvrznik with Ales Totter and bringing in Patrik Elias as a sports advisor. Despite their efforts, the team’s performance has not significantly improved.
To increase their chances of survival in the first league, Slavia needs to perform well in their upcoming games against Litomerice and Vsetin. Every point is crucial at this stage, and the team will be giving their all to secure their place in the top league.
