Tatar, Studenic, Jaros Reflect on Slovakia's Historic Bronze | FEATURE

For the Slovakian players on the Devils, Saturday was an extra special day; their home country won its first ever Olympic hockey medal, a bronze, after beating Sweden 4-0.
"I went to sleep a little bit earlier last night so I could get up and watch the game," Marián Studenič said about watching the bronze medal game with his schedule. "Pretty much all of Slovakia watched the game. I'm so happy for the guys. They got us the medal. It's probably one of the best wins in Slovak history I would say. So we're all happy for them."
"It means a lot because it doesn't happen so often that Slovakian ice hockey team or any Slovak athlete wins a medal at the Olympics. It's pretty big for our country and they make us proud," Christian Jaros said Saturday. "It's a special moment for Slovakia and I can't imagine what it's like in the country right now."
"I'm extremely proud of them. I have a lot of friends on the team who I've played with. To accomplish something like this on the Olympic level that's huge. I think everybody played really well and they were working extremely hard and it was very fun to watch," Tomas Tatar said on the Olympic bronze medal victory. "It's our first historical medal during the Olympic Games and I'm super happy for the guys."

Slovakia wasn't considered a medal contender and even lost its first two games of the Olympic tournament. However, this underdog team is walking away with a medal after a strong performance that included a quarterfinal shootout victory over the U.S. team. For Studenic, he knows the importance of this medal on the international hockey stage.
"They were fighting for us other Slovaks so we have more respect in the hockey world. It's so amazing and I hope more kids will come play hockey after this. I hope that Slovakian hockey will grow after this," Studenic said. "We had the golden generation and they won some (World Championship) medals for us, and since then there was not really any generation that did something so I'm happy (they did)."
Slovakia first competed in the Winter Olympics in 1994, and despite great group play fell in the quarterfinals to Russia. Since 1994, Slovakia has had a team participate in the Winter Games. The best result, prior to this year, was a fourth place finish in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
"We have a great history of hockey players coming from Slovakia to play in the NHL, and represent Slovakian hockey, I just hope this will help and the government will get more involved," said Tatar. "During these times like World Championships or Olympics, the whole (country) is watching and especially these times with COVID, this is something we really needed and there was something very cheerful and the whole country can stand together."

Tomas Tatar, Marián Studenič and Christian Jaros are three of 11 Slovaks playing in the NHL this season. Studenic and Jaros played for Slovakia in the Olympic qualifying tournament, and had the opportunity to do their part to make history.
"I know all the guys on the team and all the coaching staff and everyone. We played together in qualification for the Olympics, so it's pretty much the same team as back in August," Jaros said. "I'm proud for the guys and all the management and coaching staff. They're bringing home the Bronze medal … it's a special moment for Slovakia."
"I'm happy I could help them in August with qualifications," Studenic said. "When they won, I would like to be there. I was just imagining how sick it is to get the medal, so I'm so happy for them. Hopefully (if) I play in the Olympics or the World Championships I (win) some medals too."
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff has a personal connection to the head coach of the Slovakian National team and he reflected on what this win means for Slovakia.
"It's an incredible experience, something they should be proud of," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said on Slovakia winning. "I know Craig Ramsay, an ex-teammate of mine, was the coach. I'm happy for him he's done a great job.
"To get your first medal, that's something you'll remember for a lifetime."