The Slovak hockey team might be without one of its key players in the match against Russia today as defender Lubomir Visnovsky is still suffering from a shoulder injury sustained in the previous 4-3 defeat against Germany.
A decision will be made after today’s training session, while Slovak national team coach Glen Hanlon is also considering using Visnovsky sparingly only when they have a powerplay, which the coach sees as one of Visnovsky’s strengths.
Visnovsky should make the decision himself, but after yesterday’s training session he noted that it still hurted and that it would be months before it would be 100%. He admitted that he would not be able to play as defenceman in a match, but that the idea of using him in powerplays could work. If he decides to opt out then he will be replaced in the squad by Martin Cibak.
sto/tm