Martin Fehervary is a winner in his first-ever Olympic hockey action.
The 26-year-old defenseman played 22:03 of ice time and fired two shots on goal in Slovakia’s tournament-opening 4-1 victory over Finland on Wednesday. Fehervary, named one of his nation’s alternate captains on Monday, finished second only to fellow defender Simon Nemec (24:56) in ice time among all Slovaks.
Fehervary and Nemec skated together on Slovakia’s top defense pairing.
Ahead of the game, Fehervary spoke about wanting to put on a good showing for his girlfriend, Natalia Levius, and their newborn daughter, Anna. The couple had their first child less than two weeks ago, on January 31.
“I just got a one-week-old daughter, so, hopefully, they’ll have time back home in DC, with my girlfriend Natalia,” Fehervary told the NHLPA. “I hope they will have time, watch my games, and support me.”
Slovakia was primarily pushed to victory by Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who recorded three points (2g, 1a). Goaltender Samuel Hlavaj, who plays in the AHL with the Iowa Wild, also set the Slovak Olympic record with 38 saves in the win.
Slafkovsky got the scoring started in the win with a beautiful individual effort, pouncing on a turnover by the lone non-NHLer on Finland’s roster, defender Mikko Lehtonen.
Slovakia also got goals from St. Louis Blues forward Dalibor Dvorsky and KHL forward Adam Ruzicka. Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen scored Finland’s lone goal.
With the win, Slovakia moves to the top of Group B with their next game coming against the host Italian team on Friday.
