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11/11 Rest of Semin Interview...More…
11/9 Boudreau on OV's Slump...More…
11/9 OV Interview after Rangers Game...More…
11/5 Entire Semin Interview!...More…
11/3 The Dzagoev Dialectic...More…
10/31 Fedorov Interview...More…
10/30 Semin and Kozlov...More…
10/20 Yet Another OV Q&A...More…
10/20 Yet Another Semin Q&A...More…
10/17 Short OV Interview...More…
10/17 Feds Interview...More…
10/14 Another Semin Interview...More…
9/18 Semin Interview...More…
9/16 Simeon Varlamov in America...More…
9/5 Morozov and the KHL...More…
9/3 OV behind bars?...More…
8/17 OV on Russian Game show...More…
8/12 OV in Beijing...More…
8/4 OV is in even better shape than last year...More…
7/28 Jagr and OV talk...More…
7/27 Kapitanov--OV doesn't even take vitamins...More…
7/25 OV can't get to his seat...More…
7/22 OV parties in Moscow...More…
7/23 OV Going to Beijing...More…
6-3 OV the Superman...More…
5-27 Don Cherry loves OV...More…
5-30 OV interview in Pittsburgh..More…
5-13 Feds Interview...More…
5-12 OV Interview...More…
Odious Don Koharski killed us More…
Blog:
10 April 2008-The Playoffs are just around the corner More…
20 October 2008
Slava Malamud
Alexander Semin: “Me? Superstar? Well Why Not”
In yesterday’s game against New Jersey, Washington forward Alexander Semin scored two goals against legendary goalie Martin Brodeur and with his 10th point became the number one rated bombardier in the NHL. The game hero was one of the last to leave the dressing room. He said that he was sitting in the Jacuzzi, which generally perks him up. Good thing, since it might be dangerous for his health if he got any more relaxed. There probably hasn’t been a calmer player in Washington’s history.
Did you yourself expect such a start-- first place in points, second place in goals?.
“I don’t know. Somehow I just don’t think about it. I just go out and I play as well as I can, and everything turns out well. I hope it keeps on going like this.”
You don’t think about it? Do you not realize that you are playing better than you ever have in the past?”
“A normal athlete is supposed to get better, especially at my age. Why would you want to stand still?”
What have you added this season?
“More confidence, I think. Maybe a little luck….”
Yeah, you were lucky once today, but as a whole you are making shots which you generally didn’t make in the past.
“Well, sooner or later they have to go in! You don’t work and train for this in vain.”
Are you ready to become Washington’s best player?
"The main thing is to win. I don’t have any thought of striving to become the best player on the team, and take points away from one another. That means you aren't playing for the team but rather for yourself. The main thing is the play-offs and The Cup. We have a real chance—the team is outstanding. Look, today we gave away the win.”
But maybe winning the title of best bombardier or sniper in the league will be a bit of a stimulus?
“That’s true for any player, and everyone handles it in their own way. If everything keeps going the way it has been, that would be okay. My spirits are good, the team is winning—what more could I ask for?”
Are you ready for the title of Superstar?
“And why wouldn’t I be? It’s just that this is not something I’m striving for. Sometimes you don’t want to make a goal, but rather a nice pass. For instance, in tonight’s game when we were on the PP in the 2nd period, I could have easily shot it myself. I even saw where it could go—under the glove. But I wanted to make it a better shot… That is my style of play. I passed it to Jurcina. I don’t know why he held onto the puck and didn’t fire it in immediately…oh well.”
What do you think is the problem with Ovechkin?
“You have to understand all the special attention that this guy is under. Maybe it has something to do with that.”
This is already his fourth year with all this attention.
“Maybe what he did before isn’t enough now. Or maybe he is trying too hard, doing things he doesn’t need to do. I don't know."
Two goals on Brodeur. Does this mean that there isn’t anything you can’t do now?
“Yeah, there was a breakaway I should have made. I just fell short of it. Well, I got it and there was an open net. I went forward and I should have gone to the side a little bit. Then I could have easily lifted it in."
What do you think about Sergei Fedorov playing defense?
“He gave me an outstanding pass. We caught them on a line change, and remained at the blue line. I can say that playing with Fedorov is more interesting than with any other defenseman. He simply never gives away the puck, and other defensemen look at him then start to play a little differently.”
Click on icon above for original story in Russian at www.sport-express.ru