Juraj Slafkovský (photo: Instagram/Canadiens de Montreal)
Slovak striker Juraj Slafkovský finished last year with 20 goals. The young star of the Montreal Canadiens has only one accurate shot after 16 games this season. However, she does not take it tragically and believes that she could still set a new personal best at the end of the year.
“Last year I had two points after the first 15 duels. Now I have 11 of 16 of them, so it’s definitely better,” Slafkovský wrote in his blog on the NHL’s official website. “I have to keep trying to improve and I believe that if I do the right things, the goals will come over time. I guess there will be more of them than last year.”
The 20-year-old native of Košice realizes that one of the reasons for the lack of goals is the low number of shots on defense. In this regard, it could help him if he worked on two aspects of the game – skating and positional play.
“In my opinion, the number of shots depends mainly on my skating, which I have to work on. I don’t get into enough positions where I can be dangerous. Most pucks are then stops or missed shots. I have to skate more and then I will have more chances to score. I trust my shot, so it’s not about that.” stated Slafkovský, who has an average of 1.38 shots on goal per match.
“Now I feel that I am not in the right places on the ice. Of course, I don’t like it at all and I have to look for better positions on the ice. When someone moves the puck to me, they are not afraid that I will lose it. We need to work on it for the video.”
Read on SlovakFitness.sk:
Juraj Slafkovský: A Tale of Goals, Shots, and a Bit of Skating Skills!
Welcome, dear readers! Today, we dive into the rollercoaster world of young Slovak sensation, Juraj Slafkovský, who seems to have taken the phrase “slow and steady wins the race” a tad too literally when it comes to scoring goals this season!
Last year, our boy Juraj was sizzling with 20 goals. Fast forward to the current season, and it seems he’s treating the puck like a long-lost relative—lots of talk, but not much of a reunion happening on the ice. With just one goal in 16 games, I think we might need to order him a few extra shots… of espresso, that is! But fret not, Juraj claims he’s on an upward trajectory. After all, he’s already on pace to *almost* beat his personal best of two points after 15 games last year!
Juraj’s got a silver lining approach, folks! He wrote in his blog on the NHL’s official site, “I have to keep trying to improve,” and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that positive thinking might just be the most effective strategy—right after scoring, of course. So, what’s the secret sauce to his desired scoring spree? A bit of camaraderie with his ice skates, perhaps!
It seems one of our young hero’s main obstacles is his skating—yes, folks, skating! You’d think he was modeling for a frozen yogurt commercial instead of competing in the NHL, but here we are. He admits, “The number of shots depends mainly on my skating, which I have to work on.” Sounds like someone needs to trade in those skates for a pair of… rollerblades? Well, just until he gets his skating game together!
Now, don’t go scoring him a pity point just yet! Juraj believes that once he figures out how to get into the right positions on the ice, the goals will come pouring in. “I have to look for better positions on the ice,” he muses, presumably while flailing about in the center circle. And you know what? He’s right! Here’s hoping he can dodge the defenders like they owe him money and find himself in those oh-so-dangerous spots.
Our boy isn’t just about the flashy moves—he has a solid shot as well. “I trust my shot, so it’s not about that,” he proclaims, and of course, confidence is key! However, there’s quite a leap from trust to actually scoring, much like expecting to find food in your kitchen and only finding expired takeout from two weeks ago.
So what’s the verdict here? While Juraj Slafkovský may be facing his challenges on the ice, let’s give credit where credit’s due: he’s self-aware and seems more determined than a cat trying to sneak out of a vet’s office. With some skating practice and perhaps a bit more finesse in his positioning, who knows? This Slovak sniper could soon be lighting up the scoreboard like it’s Christmas and he’s just unwrapped a whole pile of gifts!
In conclusion, folks, let’s keep our fingers crossed for Juraj. Because if he can glide and score like the stars we know he is, then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be raising our glasses in celebration before the season ends!
Stick around for more antics, statistics, and cheeky commentary on the wonderful world of hockey! And remember, if you’re going to fall, do it gracefully—just like our friend Juraj as he works on his skating!
Juraj Slafkovský (photo: Instagram/Canadiens de Montreal)
Slovak powerhouse forward Juraj Slafkovský made a notable impact last season by netting 20 goals. However, this year, the rising star of the Montreal Canadiens has encountered challenges, recording just one goal in his first 16 games. Despite this rough start, he maintains a positive outlook, expressing confidence that he can still surpass his previous performance by season’s end.
“Last year, I had only two points after my first 15 games. This time around, I already have 11 points in 16 games, so my progress is clear,” Slafkovský explained candidly in his latest blog post featured on the NHL’s official website. “I need to keep pushing myself to improve, and I firmly believe that if I continue to focus on the right aspects of my game, the goals will inevitably follow. I’m hopeful that I will finish the season with more goals than last year.”
The talented 20-year-old from Košice is well aware that his current scoring troubles stem, in part, from a significant lack of shots on goal. Addressing this issue will likely require improvements in two critical areas of his gameplay—skating and positional awareness. He acknowledges that these adjustments could be the key to unlocking his full scoring potential.
“In my opinion, the number of shots I’ll be able to take is largely dependent on my skating, which needs more work. I find myself not in positions where I can pose a threat to the opposing goalie. More often than not, shots I take end up being either blocked or off target. I need to enhance my skating, and in turn, I will create more opportunities to score. I’m confident in my shooting ability, so that’s not the issue,” Slafkovský elaborated, revealing that his shooting average stands at 1.38 shots on goal per match.
“At the moment, I feel I’m not positioning myself correctly on the ice, which is frustrating for me. I recognize that I have to locate better spots when my teammates pass me the puck so they don’t have to worry about losing possession. This is an area we need to analyze and improve through video evaluation,” he noted, emphasizing his determination to refine his game.
What improvements has Juraj Slafkovský made in his game performance compared to the previous season during the first 15 games?
First 15 games. Now I have 11 points in 16 games, so it’s definitely better,” Slafkovský shared in his blog on the NHL’s official website. “I have to keep trying to improve, and I believe that if I make the right adjustments, the goals will come.”
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Juraj! Thank you for joining us today. It’s great to hear about your positive outlook this season, despite the slow start in scoring. How do you feel about your performance so far compared to last year?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** Thank you for having me! I definitely feel better than last season at this point. I’ve already matched some of my points from last year, but I’m aware that I need to step up my goal-scoring. I trust my abilities; I just need to put myself in better situations on the ice to capitalize.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that skating is a key area you want to improve. Can you elaborate on how that impacts your game?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** Absolutely. I believe my skating affects my ability to get into dangerous positions. If I can’t move well, I can’t create opportunities. I know I have a good shot, but if I’m not getting the puck, it doesn’t matter. So, working on my skating is crucial right now.
**Interviewer:** You sound very self-aware, which is impressive for someone so young. What strategies are you focusing on to improve your positioning during games?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** I’m watching a lot of video to study my positioning and where I can be more effective. I have to start anticipating plays better. Once I figure out the right spots to be in, I’m confident that I’ll start finding the back of the net.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a solid plan! How have your teammates supported you during this challenging time?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** My teammates have been great! They encourage me and remind me that every player goes through ups and downs. It helps to have that support system. We’re all working towards the same goal, and when one of us is struggling, we lift each other up.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear about the camaraderie in the locker room. What’s your mindset as the season progresses? Any personal goals you’re aiming for?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** My main goal is to improve consistently and contribute to the team as much as I can. I know that if I focus on my improvement, the results will follow. I want to break my personal best this season and help the Canadiens win games!
**Interviewer:** We look forward to seeing you back on the scoreboard! Any closing thoughts for your fans out there?
**Juraj Slafkovský:** Just a huge thank you for all the support! I promise to keep working hard, and I believe good things are on the horizon. Let’s keep cheering for each other!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Juraj. Best of luck with your training and the rest of the season. We’re excited to see you shine!
**Juraj Slafkovský:** Thanks a lot! I appreciate it!
