Fribourg-Gotteron centre Roman Cervenka scored the game-winning goal over Orli Znojmo on Sunday. Soon, he is bound for the World Cup of Hockey as a member of the Czech national team. 

by Lukas Peroutka and Derek O'Brien

ZNOJMO – When Fribourg-Gotteron visited Orli Znojmo on Sunday, the most recognizable visitor to the local fans and media was Roman Cervenka, the 30-year-old centre who has represented the Czech national team on numerous occasions. It was just Cervenka's third competitive game with his new team, but after two games at home he was back in his home country as a visiting player. 

Cervenka scored the game-winning goal early in the third period of a 3-1 win, but overall he wasn't really happy with his own play, or that of his team. 

“It wasn't a very good game for me – it felt kind of slow and a little bit tired. We made it more difficult for ourselves with all the penalties, we did not see a lot of puck possession and we could not create any pressure when we played 5-on-5. We played better at home, but okay, we wanted to secure playoff position, which we did.”

Indeed they did, as Fribourg have won all three games they have played in Group M, out-scoring Znojmo and Red Bull Munich by a total of 11-3. Cervenka has factored in on four of those tallies, with three goals and one assist, which makes him the team's Cramo Top Scorer. 

A proven scorer in the Czech Extraliga and KHL, Cervenka also had 17 points (9 + 8) in a 39-game stint with the NHL's Calgary Flames in 2012-13, so Fribourg know they are getting somebody who can help them offensively. So far, they have to be happy with their new top-line centre, and 30-year-old Cervenka is happy in his new surroundings as well. 

“Everything is fine at the moment and works well. Of course, the mood will depend on our results. But the facilities, the town, everything is excellent. I cannot complain at all. We want to make the playoffs and then anything can happen.”

It's been an interesting past few days for Cervenka. In between the two CHL games between Fribourg and Znojmo – Thursday in Switzerland and Sunday in South Moravia – he got a call to join the Czech national team for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, which starts on 17 September in Toronto. In the past, Cervenka has represented his country in six World Championships and two Winter Olympics, but he didn't see this call coming.

“I did not really think about it until the moment when (national team general manager) Martin Rucinsky called me and said that they want me. I said okay, but there also had to be discussions with the club. We have a busy schedule now and the domestic league starts on Friday already, but eventually they agreed. We have a good relationship.” 

“I will play our final CHL group game in Munich (on Tuesday), then the first two NLA games, and after that I join the national team. It is a big tournament with the best players and it takes place in Canada. It will be special.”

Together, Fribourg and Rucinsky agreed that Cervenka would join the Czech national team next Sunday, 11 September. That means he'll travel overseas with the Czech team, but miss the two pre-tournament games against Russia in St. Petersburg and Prague. 

“I don't think that will be a big problem. We still have one exhibition game in America right before the tournament and I think that is a key game. It is important I will be able to take part in that game.”

So Cervenka will put on the frequent-flyer miles in the coming weeks. Then after the World Cup, he will get re-settled into his routine with Fribourg in the Swiss NLA and, in October, the CHL's Round of 32.