The first journalists who, out of habit, came to see the team’s full occupation on ice, were put out on the street.
“Vyacheslav Bykov forbade being at the site at this time,” the team representative explained. - The open part will be the last fifteen minutes when we start playing five on five.
It is pleasant, of course, that the head coach believes that any journalist will understand his tactical schemes. And it’s not good that he suspects someone of spying on competitors.
There was no choice but to go to the usual place at the entrance to the locker room. During the pouring of ice, Kirill Koltsov came to the journalists. With a concentrated look, he began to saw his stick. He, of course, was photographed during this occupation, but a security guard came running and drove everyone out into the street.
The door was shut. As a result, the innocent gymnast who came to practice suffered. Just in case, they did not let her in either. She stood sad with a hoop and maces, until the press stood up to her defense. We hope that the second Irina Chashchina will grow out of her.
Nevertheless, most of the press did not manage to get into the base. Everyone stood at the gate. A huge crowd aroused interest among drivers passing by. There was not enough riot police, which could restrain those wishing to get to an open training session by the usual methods. At 12.15 the show ended. The gates opened and the press was allowed into the base.
Five on five really played on ice. A sensation can be recognized that Andrei Markov played in the position of the central striker. After graduation, a series of shootouts was conducted, as a result of which the loser had to carry clubs to the locker room. Lost Stanislav Zhmakin.
Vladimir Gerasimov, the press officer of the national team, was a little gloomy.
“The briefing will take place in the gym,” he announced. - The head coach of the team will answer all your questions, and then you go to the locker room.
Gym - a room with mirrors, where it is very difficult to accommodate all TV people and photographers. The flea market and the struggle for the most profitable place began. Vyacheslav Bykov, who watched this, remained calm. He can’t get used to fighting on the “patch”. Perhaps he was eyeing potential defenders. If they continue to be expelled from the team with such ease, then they will have to take operators instead of hockey players.
The head coach answered questions calmly, breaking away once when they asked him if they had treated Alexander Semin, a very high-level player, too cruelly.
“Not too much,” the coach replied very loudly.
Hockey players of the Russian team asked not to let journalists in too quickly.
“We haven't put on any panties yet, wait a bit,” they shouted.
But some did not have time to do this. Hockey players were surprised when unknown people filled the locker room, no less than the journalists who got there. For some players, this was a real shock.
- I won’t go anywhere, I won’t go, - goalkeeper Vasily Koshechkin rested, hiding in the shower. - I do not want.
The goalkeeper was still kicked out to the press.
“Well, I didn’t have time to put on my pants, now I have to wait for everyone to leave,” Dima Vorobyov from Lada was upset.
It should be noted that everyone immediately ran to talk with Ovechkin and Frolov. The hockey players who played in the Russian championship relaxed a bit.
“Why, let them talk,” laughed Alexander Kharitonov. - During the season we talked so much that we need to relax.
The only one who was not at all surprised by the excitement was Andrei Markov from Montreal.
“It's a normal situation when there is a lot of interest in the team,” he said, dressing. - Only it’s strange to hear from the press what will happen in case of our failure. No need to set us up for defeat.
It's just that we are used to it for 14 years.
Alexey Shevchenko