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10 April 2008-The Playoffs are just around the corner More…
3 May 2008 Sunday 11:02
Regina Sevostyanova
A goal is a goal. What difference does it make how it goes in
Exclusive to Championat.ru
Definitely, the best players (as much as one can determine such a thing from the results of the utter destruction of one of the outsiders in the first game of the Russian national team in the World championship against Italy (7-1)) turned out to be our first "Washington" line of Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Sergei Fedorov. Two of our team's seven goals were on account of Semin, and one more started the tournament count for Ovechkin. Fedorov scored twice, and both times his goals were waived off. As far as the first one was concerned, Fedorov himself said "In the NHL such a goal would for sure have been allowed".
Therefore in the "mixed zone" the journalists were asking for all of them, plus Ilya Kovalchuk. During the Russian team game the latter was working with Ovechkin, Semin and Fedorov as a defender for the most part. It should also be noted that while he wasn't able to score, Kovalchuk was not taken from the starting lineup. Head coach Vyacheslav Bykov said that he is satisfied with this line and expects winning goals from these five.
-We were all well prepared physically, and we were in good spirits. reported Alexander Semin, who was recognized as the best player on the Russian team for this game. -I was able to get two goals thanks to the assistance of my partners.
- Couldn't quite make it to three, though, eh?
-Of course I wanted the hat trick. I had the chance, but I hit the pipe.
- Do these beautiful goals happen very often, where you get the puck at center ice and hammer it right in?
-A goal is a goal. What difference does it make how it goes in. I don't even remember that moment right now. I was at speed, I got a pass, I went forward and scored.
- Your partners said before the game that last year's game against Italy turned out to be pretty difficult.
-What does that matter? We simply go out to win every game. It is senseless to think about the past. We are playing in the here and now. You all saw how this game became more difficult.
- Still and all, was it difficult to adjust to Italy?
-Why? It is just like any other game. I think that in the World Championships it doesn't matter who you play. You can't be adjusting for each different team. An opponent is an opponent.
-Did you expend a lot of energy on this ice?
-Yeah, it was pretty difficult. But there is enough time before the break to restore it. And today it was easier to play than when we played Canada (an exhibition game before the championships). They have improved the ice.
Semin's partner in the Washington line and in the Russian Team is Alexander Ovechkin, and in this World Championship he is continuing his personal tradition of playing with unique skates. Last time the edges of his skates were gilded, and this time they were decorated with the colors of the Russian flag.
-How was the game against Italy for you?
-Okay. It was a game like any other. It was immediately apparent that they were playing in defensive mode. We had to score sooner. And the ice was better to play on. I think that they lowered the temperature in the building, and the ice became more solid. We didn't have porridge under our feet. That is a good thing.
-Were you happy with your line today?
-Yes. Well this is how we played. We understand one another, we play with one another. At the end of the game, of course, we started to act like fools. Well, if it wasn't for that, as they say (smiling).
- Ilya Kovalchuk is is being used as a defender for the most part with you guys. Did the coach say anything about this to you?
- No, But I think that this is the right decision, because Ilya plays more on the striking position. And, basically, this turned out well for us: I corrected the flight of the puck, and he made good passes.
-You apparently haven't played in the same line with Kovalchuk before have you?
-Nope, except for the all star games we never played together, although we were on the same team at last year's World Championships.
-Was it a weird feeling to go out on the ice wearing a team USSR jersey?
-Of course not! It is simply history. The organizers have 100 years of World Championships, and they wanted to give a gift to our veterans. Me myself, I've already played for Russia, and here it is written "Russia". And I'm going to keep this jersey. As a keepsake.
