Release from 02.10.2024

Josh Siembida: „It was great to feel the support and energy in the building”

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League newcomer KHL Sisak got off to a strong start in the first Alps Hockey League season. After a narrow 2:3/OT defeat in Jesenice, the Croatians clearly beat Val Gardena 7:1 at home last Saturday. With four points Sisak is seventh in the table. Head Coach Josh Siembida, who is working as head coach for the first time, talks in the interview about the strong start to the season and the qualities of his young team, among other things. The 41-year-old also looks ahead to the upcoming game against Zell am See on Saturday.

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Congratulations to the clear victory against Gherdeina. Please briefly analyze the game, what was the key to victory?
Josh Siembida: “We got off to a strong start, our collective effort and execution was good throughout the entire lineup and we were effective on special teams, a formula that most often leads to success and will certainly be important for our group moving forward.”

How excited were you before your first Alps Hockey League home game and how relieved are you that you managed to win?
“I was happy for our guys the credit goes to them. It was great to feel the support and energy in the building, it has taken the work of many within and around the organization to get here, for the team to play the way we did, earning our first league win and at home was certainly fitting for many different reasons.”

You also impressed against Jesenice. You only lost 2:3/OT. Has the strong start to the season changed your expectations and what makes your young team so difficult to play for the other teams?
“One thing I’ve learned about this team is we have a group that is competitive by nature I think that shows by the way we play. Our start has not changed my expectations or thoughts of what this team is capable of, there is still much we can improve upon. One of the positives for the team early is the confidence we have earned, but we understand it’s a long season we need to continue to improve daily, most certainly every team within the league will be doing the same.”

In the next game you'll be playing against Zell am See on Saturday. What kind of game are you expecting?
“We expect it to be a tough game. We will be facing a good hockey team who can beat you in different ways. Could be a game filled with momentum swings and exciting end to end play, another good test for our group in the early stages of league play.”

Watch KHL Sisak's home game against EK Die Zeller Eisbären in the livestream on valcome.tv from 18:30 on Saturday.