The head coach of Kryzhynka-Capitals shared his thoughts on the team’s performance in the Junior Hockey League’s second consecutive championship season. He emphasized the significance of grooming young talents for adult hockey, discussed the fierce competition in the league, and confirmed the team’s participation in an upcoming off-season tournament.
Ihor, the team won the second championship in a row. What were the main keys of this success?
One of the key factors contributing to this success was the unwavering desire to consistently achieve victory. Each of the boys demonstrated a deep motivation to strive for gold medals. Once you achieve the status of champion, the drive to continually replicate such accomplishments becomes ingrained. Furthermore, the involvement of six players in training sessions and matches with Kyiv Capitals proved to be invaluable experience, fostering the growth of young hockey players into seasoned athletes. These individuals emerged as prominent leaders within the team throughout the season in the Junior Hockey League.
Which of the gold medals was more difficult to win: in the 2022/23 or 2023/24 season?
It’s hard to compare the two seasons. Last year, we primarily played friendly matches for an extended period due to the lack of a strong championship like the current one. The team only had to gather for the final three matches. However, in the recently concluded championship, we had to compete to secure a spot in the playoffs before facing tough opponents on our path to the title. With the exception of Dnipro, who was the clear underdog of the season, the other teams were fairly evenly matched. Despite Kremenchuk managing to defeat the frontrunners in the last few rounds, they fell just short of making it to the top four. Maintaining peak performance throughout the entire season was crucial. Unfortunately, the emergence of the coronavirus and the onset of a full-scale invasion meant that many players lacked experience in playoff situations. Additionally, several key players from last year’s Kryzhynka team had moved abroad. It was undoubtedly a challenging season, as defending a title is always more arduous than clinching it in the first place.
You admitted the JHL format. Due to its similarity to the adult championship, does it accelerate the growth of young hockey players?
Certainly, but considering the current circumstances, it seems appropriate to limit the number of matches played this season. We acknowledge the gravity of the situation, particularly the ongoing war in our country. As a result, we have determined that the 2023/2024 JHL season will be the most that can be accommodated. Despite this constraint, our team has actively taken part in both international and amateur tournaments throughout the year, enabling us to gain valuable experience and contribute to our success in winning the championship.
During the championship, the team conceded quite a few, but also scored less than the opponents. Did you put more emphasis on disciplined play in defense?
I have heard this argument numerous times. The teams showcased their distinctiveness through matches with Dnipro. However, we only had one complete encounter with this opponent, as the initial away match in the series was disrupted due to air alarms, resulting in the opponent not showing up in Kyiv. In terms of our low number of conceded goals, I must certainly credit our goaltending lineup. It was our goalkeepers who played a significant role in securing a multitude of victories.
Continuing the goalkeeping topic, we should note that Kryzhynka-Capitals hockey players won three individual awards at the end of the season, and two of them went to Nazar Boyko. Do you think this is another sign of a successful season for the boys?
Certainly, Tymur Lapko, who became the best defender, made significant contributions to his development, earning his spot on Kyiv Capitals team. On the other hand, Nazar played a huge role for the team in crucial moments, notably during the intense series against Bilyi Bars. His confidence and composure greatly influenced the team’s performance, ultimately proving to be a key factor in the playoffs.
The fact that the team equalized the score after the victory in the shooting series became an additional advantage in psychology, not only before the third match with Bilyi Bars?
When our team won the shootout, I realized that the championship would be ours. It was a major boost of positivity.
Before the playoffs, the team received a good reinforcement. More experienced players who have played at an adult level – another guarantee of this year’s championship?
Certainly! Anatolii Revuka’s addition to the team proved to be beneficial. He joined us before semifinal matches against Bilyi Bars and played a pivotal role by scoring crucial goals. Born in 2005, he brings a level of experience that is slightly greater than that of most of our hockey players, which proved to be invaluable. Additionally, Dmytro Mosiuk, Dmytro Sapozhnyk, and Illia Shcherbak joined us during the final series, showcasing their strengths and making notable contributions to our championship victory.
Could the win in the JHL final series be called a mini-revenge for the defeat of the adult team against Sokil?
These are two separate tournaments. However, derbies hold significant value across all levels. It is always regarded as prestigious for children, young individuals, or adult hockey players to defeat Sokil. Kyiv Capitals is a young club, thus it carries importance for one of its teams to achieve this win within its structure.
Is the series for third place in the JHL important for this championship?
Yes, indeed. These are extra matches. I emphasize that consistent game practice is crucial at this stage of development. It would be captivating to witness the teams compete for the bronze through face-to-face playoff matches.
Kryzhynka-Capitals will soon take part in the Kyiv Hockey Derby tournament. What are the main tasks you assign to the team?
This idea is really cool! I am confident that the tournament will offer valuable insights to all participants. Our team will feature returning players who have gained experience abroad. This will undoubtedly enhance our lineup. The upcoming matches against seasoned competitors will provide a great opportunity to assess our strengths and areas for improvement. It is crucial for Kryzhynka-Capitals to gauge our progress this season.
