Op Bevroren Blog

De kerels begonnen aan het weggaan van de streek, het overgaan door de neutrale streek, het ingaan van de aanvallende streek, en het spelen van geen hockey te werken. Actually, in games like this you can afford to improvise. The Swiss gave us full control of the game… They tried to catch us on counter attacks. What if it can be done? In the first two periods it couldn’t be done. We took the puck deep and didn’t give it away.”

Did it cross your mind that the Swiss coach Ralph Krueger told his team before the start of the third period: “Alright, stop fooling around. Let’s play like it’s the quarterfinal.”

“Exactly! They started playing hard. And our thoughts roamed around… I think Team Switzerland will look much better in the quarterfinal than in the third period today. They will kick it up a notch.”

Team Russia had a unique opportunity to “pick” its opponent for the quarterfinals. Was it tempting to take that chance?

“Let’s call things what they are. We are hockey players. We are preparing for a game. And we want to win. That is all. How can one physiologically prepare to play for a loss or a draw?”

But Team Sweden at the Olympics [in Turin] played out their strategy. And they won the gold.

“I don’t know about Turin. I wasn’t there. I can only say that I was giving it 100% while getting ready for the game against Switzerland. I wanted to play the game at a normal speed. It didn’t matter who we’d play in the playoffs. But it turned out to be the Swiss again. To be honest, it looked as if it was Team Switzerland trying to pick the opponent. They intentionally gave you control of the game in the first two periods.”

And what choice did they have?

“Either to play hard, or to save energy. Team Switzerland chose the second. They wanted to play [Team Russia] in the quarterfinals.”

Does this humiliate Team Russia? Krueger thinks that it is easier to beat [the Russians] than the Czechs or the Swedes?

“I don’t think so. However, we need to be on guard.”

Is Team Russia playing the optimal game, or there are still problems approaching the playoffs?

“I wouldn’t call it a problem. But team chemistry is always built in difficult games. We had those in Quebec. There are only technical issues left to fix. For example, to play shorter shifts but more intense. Our potential is hidden there.”

Is Team Russia different with or without Morozov?

“I wouldn’t put the question this way. But it is obvious that Alexei is not only the captain of the team, but is also a good player on his line. I think that his line partners (Kovalchuk and Zinoviev) don’t feel completely comfortable without Morozov.”

Why did Maxim Sushinsky took over the captaincy and not you?

“For me it was an obvious decision. Sushinsky knows everyone on the team better. Moreover, assistant captain and captain are almost the same.”

Whose choice was it?

“Right before the game against Team Switzerland our coaches made the announcement.”

Did they ask for your opinion?

“No. But was it necessary?”

Weren’t you asked anything right before the World Championships? Were you just offered to become assistant captain?

“No one offered it, but it was announced at a team meeting who the assistants would be. It was very clear and there were no complaints.”

You scored a wonderful goal against the Swiss that also became the game winner. Was it impromptu?

“I had a few options of how to continue the attack. I was looking for Sasha Semin near the goal. I could have also shot against goalies’ pads for Semin to score on the rebound. But a Swiss player charged towards me. I put on the breaks, beat him with a trick move and shot towards the goal. It turned out that the puck went in.”

Let’s talk once again about the third period. From the stands it looked as if there was a little panic in our ranks when Team Switzerland started going forward.

“Panic is a strong word. There was a misunderstanding within the team; we didn’t have a common thought. And it is understandable. A lot of NHL players are used to mostly playing three lines and not four. The same goes for defensemen playing in three pairs. Everyone is constantly involved. I personally spoke to some NHL defensemen. I ask them: “How are you feeling? It seemed like we’re doing everything a little slow.” They reply: “We spend a lot of time sitting on the bench, we get ‘cold.’ That’s why it is difficult for us.” That’s why the game changed. It concerns our forwards too, who took longer shifts in the third period. Wanting to do too much was our mistake.”

Are Bykov and Zakharlin [Russian coaches] aware of the problem? Do they understand it?

“I think so. Although, this question is not for me to answer.”

The maybe you should approach the coaches? Tell them what you are telling us.

“Why should I give any advice?”

Because you are the most experienced player on the team.

“I understand… If I am asked, I will give my opinion. But I am not going to bug the coaches trying to teach them hockey. It would be wrong.”

And how are you getting along with your teammates from Washington? Semin, Ovechkin and Fedorov got the result in the game against Sweden. And even today you got us this victory.

“I wouldn’t say that we sit down together and spend the entire day create technical drawings of how we are going to play. But we have our routines. We have kept the way we played the game in Washington that worked so well through thick and thin. But we are paying attention to other teams’ specifics. For example, in the game against Sweden we wouldn’t simply drop passes. If wingers get the puck at the far side, they will look around whom to pass to, and won’t simply dump the puck in to pressure the opponent. The Swedes are very skilled players, and it won’t work with them. I wouldn’t say that our line is ticking perfectly like a watch. We still have some rough around the edges. But I won’t be tired of saying this: it is important not to make mistakes on both blue lines. It will be the main point of the entire playoffs.”

What specifics of the way Switzerland plays are you going to discuss with Ovechkin and Semin?

“I will reiterate that I am not the only one taking the initiative. Both Sashas, one and the other, can come up to me. We will start talking about tactics in the hotel, in the locker room, on the bus. Anywhere. We don’t go crazy, of course. But we do have this constant dialogue going. And we will certainly discuss the way we’ll play against the Swiss.”

What do you think about the episode in the game against Sweden when Alexei Morozov got injured?

“Murray did not have to hit him so hard. Because they guy didn’t have the puck. The referees realized that the Swedish defenseman played dirty. Murray got in trouble; that is it.”

Would anyone try to fight him in the NHL [after a similar episode]?

“Absolutely. But the most upsetting thing is that Murray doesn’t play this way in the NHL.”

If you were Ilya Kovalchuk would you also go after the Swede?

“I think I would drop by gloves.”

Even that?

“Yes, although I understand that this is against the [IIHF] rules. On the other hand, Kovalchuk still got a game penalty.” [Kovalchuk did not drop the gloves.]

But he didn’t get a game misconduct penalty and played the next day against Switzerland.

“Damn, I missed this small detail. Although the refs, to be honest, realized the situation and kicked Murray out.”

We cannot imagine Fedorov fighting. When was the last time you dropped your gloves?

“It was a long time ago. But players like Murray need to be put in their place.”

Team Russia hasn’t won the World Championships since 1993. And you are the expert of the playoffs, winning three Stanley Cups. Your advice: what should we beware of in the upcoming games?

“I can’t describe it in one word,” — Fedorov signed. “Let’s not make mistakes at the blue lines. Let’s not create stupid turnovers. Let’s start with that. It is important to move the puck forward. Team speed is important. All these little things I told you about. And there must be a strict discipline. Discipline always beats class.”

Good goaltending. Converting on power plays. Taking less penalties.

“You are saying all the right things. Now we just have to transform words into action.