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Feb182010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Igor Zakharkin: “We can’t stand this food anymore”

Igor Zakharkin: "We can't stand this food anymore" (Photo © Shaun Best, Reuters) It seems like the food they serve in the Olympic village in Vancouver is really bad. First it were Alexei Morozov and Semyon Varlamov who complained about the food in the village. According to Morozov the players had to eat in McDonald's. He also said that with food like this they would "turn up their toes". Then it was Ilya Bryzgalov who called the food "terrible". Now it's Team Russia coach Igor Zakharkin who calls Russian officials for help. "We can't stand it anymore. It is time for our officials to step in. Our players can't recover eating the food they serve in the village. It's not tasty and low in calories. It's some semi prepared foods! We don't want it to have an impact on our team", said Zakharkin t...

Feb172010 by Gary Laws5 Comments

Russia gets the first Olympic win over Latvia

Russian National Hockey Team News

Russia gets the first Olympic win over Latvia (Photo © Getty Images) Russia got an easy win in the first game of the 2010 Olympics against Latvia. Team Russia didn't look overly impressive, most likely saving some energy for the games against better opponents. Alexander Ovechkin and Danis Zaripov scored two goals each in team Russia's 8-2 win. KHL players got the first two goals of the match. Danis Zaripov opened the score after a couple of minutes thanks a great pass by Sergei Fedorov, while Alexander Radulov made it a 2-0 game at 7:46. Alexander Ovechkin scored the third goal for Russia with only thirty seconds to go in the first period. In the second period Russia relaxed and left little room to Lavtia. They scored only one goal, with Evgeni Malkin. The third stanza has been more frenet...

Feb162010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Russian kids help St. Louis Jr. Blues tearing up the league

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Russian kids help St. Louis Jr. Blues tearing up the league (Photo © Mike Hazelton/St. Louis Jr. Blues) Denis Chaltsev and Timofey Tankeev might be two names that we will hear again in the future. The two guys from Moscow are posting impressive stats for the St. Louis Jr. Blues of the Central States Hockey League, as reported in my article appeared on the St. Louis Globe Democrat. Denis Chaltsev has posted a 17-1 record with four shutouts, a 1.50 goals against average and a .944 save percentage. Timofey Tankeev has had a terrific offensive season. In 43 games, Tankeev has scored 25 goals and added 43 assists for 68 points. Denis Chaltsev: "Due to the different rink size the play here is faster and tougher. There are many dangerous shots and lots of bounces. In Russia there is more emphasi...

Feb162010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Olympics » 2010 Olympics: Russia – Latvia preview

Russian National Hockey Team News

2010 Olympics: Russia - Latvia preview (Photo © Shaun Best, Reuters) The Olympic Hockey Tournament is about to start today. Team's Russia first game will be the clash against Latvia in the Group B. Group's other match between Slovakia and Czech Republic will be played tomorrow. Team Russia's roster seems to be one of the best of the tournament. No one else can match its offensive potential and the goalies are, at least on paper, just as good as others. If the defense might be cause of concern, the presence of veterans like Sergei Gonchar shall indicate that Bykov's team's defense shouldn't be overlooked. On top of that, Team Russia is going to feature in their line up an explosive first line made up of Ovechkin, Datsyuk and Semin. Evgeny Nabokov will start the game for Team Russia. Team L...

Feb162010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Morozov named Captain, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk to be alternates

Russian National Hockey Team News

Morozov named Captain, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk to be alternates (Photo © AFP Photo / David Boily) Team Russia has chosen its captain and alternates at the Olympic Games 2010. According to Russian newspaper Sovetskiy Sport, Alexei Morozov will be the captain, Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk will be the alternates. Alexei Morozov was the captain of the Russian team on two latest World Championships.

Feb162010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Semin, Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov and other lines at Team Russia practice

Russian National Hockey Team News

Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Semin, Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov and other lines at Team Russia practice (Photo © Reuters) The Russian team practiced for the second time in Vancouver. According to the Russian channel "Russia 2" the lines were: Ovechkin - Datsyuk - Semin, Grebeshkov - Korneev. Kovalchuk - Malkin - Afinogenov, Gonchar - Tyutin. Zaripov - Zinoviev - Morozov, Markov - Nikulin. Radulov - Fedorov - Kozlov, Kalinin - Volchenkov. "I was sure that our line would look like that", said Evgeni Malkin to Russia 2. "I agree with the coaches, it's an optimal combination". "I supposed that our line would look like that because we played together during the Olympic camp", Ilya Kovalcuk told Russia 2. "It is a good, interesting and dynamic line. I think if we try hard we can be very useful to the team."...

Feb122010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Olympics » Ovechkin might be paired with Malkin; Nabokov and Bryzgalov to share ice time

Russian National Hockey Team News

Ovechkin might be paired with Malkin; Nabokov and Bryzgalov to share ice time (Photo © Getty Images) Team Russia's coach Igor Zakharkin gave a few interviews where he stated that Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) might play on the same line, and that goalkeepers Evgeny Nabokov (San Jose Sharks) and Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix Coyotes) will both play during the robin-round at the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Zakharkin on Ovechkin-Malkin to olympics10.ru - Is there a chance to see Ovechkin and Malkin playing on the same line? Zakharkin: "Maybe not since the very beginning but somewhere in the middle of the game or during power plays. We will think about it. We are also taking into account the fact that quite often Ovechkin plays on the left wing for...

Feb112010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexei Morozov will carry Russian flag at the Olympics opening ceremony

Russian National Hockey Team News

Alexei Morozov will carry Russian flag at the Olympics opening ceremony (Photo © fhr.ru) The captain of the Russian national team, Alexei Morozov, playing for Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL, will carry the Russian flag at the Olympics opening ceremony, says the official Russian Hockey Federation site. "I'm very pleased to be entrusted with such an honor", said Morozov to Russian site sportbox.ru (translation by RussianHockeyFans.com). "Hundreds of sportsmen will represent Russia at the Olympics and I was entrusted with the flag, which increases responsibility. I won't say that I was shocked by this news but rather pleasantly surprised." Morozov became the second KHL player to carry his national flag at the Olympics' opening ceremony after Avangard Omsk's Jaromir Jagr, who will be the st...

Feb102010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

NHL » Ivan Vishnevskiy traded to the Atlanta Thrashers

Russian Players In NHL

Ivan Vishnevskiy traded to the Atlanta Thrashers (Photo © Getty Images) Ivan Vishnevskiy has been traded yesterday from the Dallas Stars to the Atlanta Thrashers. Most likely Vishnevskiy, who has played only five games in his NHL career, will be demoted to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. The Dallas Stars obtained Finn goalie Kari Lehtonen, while the Thrashers added a further fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Native of Barnaul, Russia, Vishnevskiy reported to North America in the 2005/06 season, when he was picked up in the CHL Import Draft by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and he spent three seasons. He was then drafted in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. He played most of the last couple of seasons in the AHL.

Feb82010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexander Avtsin: “Playing in the CHL makes no sense to me”

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Alexander Avtsin: "Playing in the CHL makes no sense to me" (Photo © khl.ru) Alexander Avtsin is without a doubt one of the highest touted prospects from Russia. Unfortunately he is not playing now because of a hand injury, and will come back most likely only in one month. In this interview with Olga Alexandrova, appeared on the official Dynamo Moscow's site, Avtsin explained why he decided to remain in Russia for this season, discussed his own current season's performances and he also told how he met his girlfriend Milana. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. Alexander, are there other athletes in your family? Avtsin: "Yes, my mother is a runner. She used to be a distance runner as she competed in 800 and 1500 meters. My mom really wanted that I became a sportsman and she was h...