In the spring of 2008 Hungary had hockey fever as everyone was celebrating the national team which had won promotion to the A-Pool. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Hungarian hockey, that team will be on the ice. We reflect back on what happened back then.
The 2008 year did not start off well, at the February EIHC tournament Hungary lost 6-2 to Ukraine who they would play at the World Championships. Hungary did win the next three games that had, which was against Holland, Croatia and Romania. The World Championship preparation came to a close in Dunaújváros as they shutout Poland twice, 1-0 and 3-0.
After the roster cut Levente Szuper, Zoltán Hetényi, Viktor Tokaji, András Horváth, Dr. Viktor Szélig, Tamás Sille, Bence Svasznek, Balázs Kangyal, Omar Ennaffati, Gábor Ocskay jr., Krisztián Palkovics, Artyom Vaszjunyin, Márton Vas, Imre Peterdi, Balázs Ladányi, Tamás Gröschl, Roger Holéczy, Csaba Kovács jr., András Benk, Gergely Majoross, Dániel Fekete and János Vas made the trip to Sapporo Japan. Upon arrival a number of players equipment had not arrived and the team found out there that they would not practicing in the arena where they would be playing.
Great Start
The World Championships started on April 13th, all the equipment had arrived, the players had recovered from all their injuries and illness. Hungary took on Estonia, who jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a power play goal. However Hungary took the lead thanks to two goals by Márton Vas, both time Balázs Ladányi picked up the assist. In the second period Estonia took back the lead, but Csaba Kovács tied the game up before the period was over. The third period was all Hungary as Kovács scored his second goal of the game, Dániel Fekete scored off of a Gergely Majoross assist. Hungary took the game 5-3.
Half Dozen against Lithuania
The following day Hungary took on another Baltic nation as they faced Lithuania. Hungary easily got past them which gave them a great boost of confidence. Márton Vas scored the opening goal, minutes later Hungary had the two man advantage as Gábor Ocskay put in a rebound off of an András Horváth shot. Lithuania also had a 5 on 3 power play but Levente Szuper stood tall.
Palkovics scored on the power play with Csaba Kovács scoring the fourth goal on a penalty shot. In the closing period Ocskay and Ladányi both scored as Hungary set the final score at 6-0.
Fortune is on our side.
After a day off Hungary faced the host nation Japan, and Hungary had reinforcements as János Vas was finally able to join the team. The game started off with a scoreless first period but that was because a goal was disallowed because of goaltender interference.
Hungary took the first lead of the game thanks to a one timer by Ladányi, a minute later Palkovics doubled the Hungarian lead. Ocskay made it 3-0 after he deaked past the Japanese goalie for the score. Japan got one goal back late in the period. In third period Palkovics hit the crossbar, however late in the game Japan scored a goal, but the puck went in and out of the goal so fast that the referees did not see it, the Japanese had argued that it was a goal, but in the end the score stayed the same. Japan pulled the goalie for the extra attacker but in the end Hungary won 4-2.
Another win
Against Croatia, Head Coach Pat Cortina decided to give Levente Szuper the day as Zoltán Hetényi started in net. Hetényi played great as he shut the door on Croatia in the 3-0 win. Imre Peterdi scored off of a pass from Balázs Ladányi, with Krisztián palkovics scoring twice in the third period.
A Dream Come true
Hungary was one win away from the A-Pool but had to get past Ukraine, who had been relegated the year before.
Palkovics and the Vas brothers all had scoring chances early in the game. On the other side the crossbar kept the game scoreless. János Vas scored off of a pass by Balázs Ladányi, in the closing minutes of the period Palkovics opened up a 2-0 lead for Hungary. Hungary scored early in the third period as expected Ladányi set up Peterdi for the third Hungarian goal. With just 43 seconds left in the period Hungary Ukraine got on the scoreboard.
In the closing period Hungary had created a number of scoring chances however Ukraine defended well. Late in the game Hungary had a one goal lead, and Ukraine was on the power play. Márton Vas and Balázs Ladányi had a 2 on 1 with Ladányi sliding a cross ice pass to Vas who banged it home for the 4-2 win and a tournament gold.
The leading scorer in the tournament and the best forward was Krisztián Palkovics.
“The difference between us and the other teams was the way we were determined and how much we wanted this. These boys deserved this gold medal” said Pat Cortina after the game.
