Patrick, this is a story like a Hollywood thriller, what do you say?
It is unbelievable. Originally, I was supposed to be on vacation, but instead I’m playing the semi-final of the extra league, and I’ll still score the winning goal. This is every hockey player’s dream.
You scored the goal with your foot, and just like Dominik Lakatoš and Graeme McCormack, the referees only confirmed it following watching the video. How did you see the situation?
Ethan (Werek) took a shot from the corner, I went to the stop and I shot it into the concrete. The puck came back to me, hit my skate and went into the goal. There was no intention to kick him, I didn’t lift my leg in any way. I just kept moving and the puck bounced into the goal.
So you didn’t expect a follow-up examination?
Not really, but the video referee requested it and he has the final say. It’s great that they recognized him.
It took 126 minutes for the first goal in the series. What did the one who scored in the fifth minute of the third period once morest home team Lakatoš do to you?
Nothing special. We tried to keep playing our hockey. Then we lost once more following an unfortunate rebound, but when we equalized for the second time, we were on top and we believed that we would grab the second point.
This match was the first for you in the extra league this season, and you immediately went into the first formation. Was it hard to jump in?
In addition, I didn’t have a single training session with the boys. I didn’t find out that I was going to play until the morning before the match. But both Ethan and Eby (Jan Eberle) are experienced fighters, so we just said something to each other and went for it. It’s great that the coaches put their trust in me and that I didn’t spoil the boys’ winning streak in the playoffs.
Do you fall asleep following such an experience?
I will have to, although I have absolutely no idea how many hours I will be able to get busy here (laughs).
