Updates from Hockey bubble in Bratislava:
Another coronavirus case was added to the Slovak national hockey team the day before Wednesday's departure for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Forward Michal Krištof also had a positive test. Peter Cehlárik, whose infection was reported by the team's management on Monday, continues to show a positive result. From the team Staff, also the goaltenders coach Ján Lašák tested positive in the Bratislava "bubble".
"After testing, we had two more cases. Mišo Krištof was positive, but his load of infectivity is quite satisfactory. We will follow him further, we will see how it will develop. Peter Cehlárik still has a positive result. Our colleague from the team staff, Ján Lašák, also had a positive test, but he also has a relatively low charge. I talked to him, he shows practically no symptoms, he feels 99 percent healthy, he only has micro-fatigue, "said assistant general manager Oto Haščák during an online press conference. According to him, the team management does not panic in this situation either: "We assess the situation from hour to hour, we are patient in the way we proceed. Even today we have moved the training to know the results of the morning tests. Only players who will negative and will have a charge that meets the requirements of the IOC will take part to the training session. " According to Haščák, defender Mário Grman also had higher values in the tests: "It is currently being investigated whether Covid is in his final or beginning phase. He is in a position that he will not be able to train today, but we are waiting for the result of the next test."
TASR reminds that players need a five-day quarantine and four negative coronavirus tests before departure.
Without Cehlárik and Krištof, 19 players should leave Slovakia on Wednesday. The national team management is preparing for all possibilities, including the scenario that both Cehlárik and Krištof will not be able to play at the Olympic Games. "It is the two players from the starting line-up who are our priorities. Cehlárik as the leader player also of our Power-Play special team, We will be patiently waiting for the situation to develop. If necessary we will inform you about eventual alternates. But, We are still patient," Haščák emphasized, adding that the results of Tuesday's (Todays) tests would be important.
About the Alternates: 3 out of the 6 names were so far revealed, Róbert Lantoši and Adam Liška (Forwards) and the Croatian-Slovak Mislav Rosandič (Defence). The guys should be prepared if needed to join the team if necessary.