"Russia is getting everything right now"
Hockey players of the US team, like the Russians, on the eve of the quarterfinal match held an energy-saving training session, since both teams spent a lot of energy on Wednesday in the final matches of the group stage.
But if the wards of Ilya Vorobiev beat the Swedes, then the “stars and stripes” lost to Canada without a chance - 0: 3.
In addition, the North American team had to make a long journey from Košice to Bratislava with a length of almost 400 kilometers. However, to feel the new ice in the stadium named Ondrej Nepela wards Jeff Blashill was still important.
At the same time, striker Dylan Larkin, who was injured the day before, did not take part in the training. Already in the first period the forward of “Detroit” extremely unsuccessfully hit the puck in the chest, and the athlete left the area only with the help of doctors.
However, at the pre-match press conference, Blashill expressed confidence that Larkin would still be able to play with Russia.
Not taking part in training and another striker Johnny Godro. The trainer explained this by saying that the exercise was conducted at will.
“Johnny decided not to participate in the training, but he should play. He missed several matches due to injury, was damaged, but continued to go on the ice. That influenced his actions, ”declared Blashill.
The expert began with an assessment of a failed match with Canada. According to the coach, the course of the game predetermined an unsuccessful first period in the performance of the US team.
“When we started at the World Championships, they immediately said that the main task was to get into the quarter-finals. We completed it, and now we need to win three more matches. The group stage is over, we are moving forward, ”added Blashill.
About the Russian national team coach spoke exclusively with respect. He did not hesitate to praise his opponent and called the Worbyov team "super-talented."
“There are a lot of players from the NHL as part of an opponent, and besides, I have been training the US team for the third year, and I know hockey players from other leagues. This is a super-talented team with a killer attack, Russia has the strongest line of attack on the tournament. They are doing well so far, they are playing at a high level. We have not yet shown the best game and should find it as soon as possible in order to have a chance to win tomorrow, ”he said.
The coach also revealed some secrets about the upcoming game. For example, he admitted that he was not going to “impose links” on the opponent's links, because it would be meaningless.
“Russia is too deep in composition to try to play overlap. When a team has one lead link, you can impose on it the one you need, even playing away. But when there are three or four such units, when Ilya Kovalchuk is only in the fourth, it is difficult to do something. We will make combinations with which we will be comfortable and concentrate on our best hockey, ”concluded Blashill.
“I'm surprised that Panarin was not invited to the Russian national team”
Of the hockey players of the US team, Captain Patrick Kane and key defender Ryan Souter talked to journalists this evening, who on Thursday will have to restrain the attacks of Russian stars. Kane was first of all asked about the absence of his former partner in Chicago, Artemy Panarin, as a member of the opponent.
“He is a great hockey player, sure, any team Artemy would be useful. I was pleased to play with him in Chicago. I did not know if he was missing the tournament, since Panarin had to enter the market of free agents. But I wasn’t aware of the fact that he wasn’t invited, it’s pretty amazing, ”the striker admitted.
Also, Kane, who scored ten points for performance at the group stage (two goals + eight assists), said that the US team would have to show the best hockey in order to beat Russia.
“Russia has not just won seven victories. They have a very good team, in which there are many great players, many masters. This is a dangerous team. They need to be disciplined to play in defense. The Russian team has enough skill and high-class talents in the attack, many hockey players who are able to give us trouble, if you give them time and space. We understand that they will have moments, but we will try to minimize their number and upset the opponent, ”added Kane.
Finally, Patrick responded to the statement of Dmitry Orlov, who said that Kane would not become the MVP of the tournament if left without a puck.
“I think that can be said about the majority of Russian hockey players. In this we are alike. We will also try not to let the opponent meet the puck, we will make it difficult for defenders. We just have to play, ”Kane stressed.
"We have not played with such a team"
If the Chicago striker was asked about Panarin, Suter was asked about Kirill Kaprizov, who in the match with Sweden, finally opened the scoring for the washers of the current world championship.
“I did not play against him, but I heard that he is a cool hockey player and a cool guy. I hope he plays badly tomorrow. We’ll need to talk to the Minnesota general manager about Caprice, ”Souter said.
In general, about the Russian team, Ryan, like Kane and Blashill, spoke exclusively in complimentary colors.
“Russia now plays very well and scores a lot. It is difficult to single out someone in the opponent. They have a lot of talented guys who score enough points. This match will be a tough test for us. We have not yet met with a team like Russia, where so many talents are gathered who play tough and know how to throw washers. We have not played with a team with such a deep composition. This match will be a big challenge, ”said Souter.
As for the US team, according to the defender, it has not fully realized its potential in Slovakia.
“We have a good team, but it needs to find its face. Tomorrow we will have a difficult task, we must show our best hockey so that the team has a chance to win, ”said Souter.