- After the third goal conceded, you began to reprimand your partners. What did they do this?
- Yes, there turned out an unsuccessful rebound, the puck hit our defender. But resentment, rather, was on herself, on the fact that everything turned out wrong.
- Defeat 0: 5 - is it "not so"?
- I would like, of course, less. Some goals could have been avoided. For example, the last goal was carried out at our goal due to a gross error in the middle zone. Yes, and in the second period we could retire less. This is not an excuse - it just so happened. And it’s a pity, of course, that they themselves did not score.
“But your partners say that there were no chances from the very beginning.” So everything is fine.
“Why was there no chance?” We started from 0-0. And even some moments were. However, it is possible that the Finns underestimated us. Although we, too, at first carried out the installation of the coach: we played tightly on the defensive, did not let us do anything in our zone. Although it’s foolish to deny that the level of Finnish hockey is much higher.
“But you shone today.” Did you get a good training before meeting with the Danes?
- And not only for me - for the whole team. Still, we did not play a single match at the national team level in the preparatory period, we played only with Dynamo Moscow. It was necessary to test yourself in combat conditions.
“And you counted many mistakes?” Of those that should not be allowed in a match with the Danes?
- We must, firstly, be the first to score. Secondly, do not retire so often. This is what broke the game for us. No, we should not have won, but so much of a penalty is worthless. They saw, after all, that we didn’t even have a place on the penalty box at times. I think the guys will make the right conclusions.
- By the way, the players did not dispute the removal.
- Yes, they did not dispute. Now there are new rules. Any fault is punishable. What is the point of arguing?
“You are all tuned to the Danes.” What do you know about this opponent?
- We played with them in Kiev and missed the victory, leading 3-0. Now let's see how they will look against Russia and Finland.
- From year to year, Ukraine brings the same composition. Where is your youth?
- Played for the Russian national team. And Babchuk, and Zherdev, and Vishnevsky. So everyone runs up. But we have Shafarenko, Materukhin. It seems not young people, but also not old people. They would play enough, would be no worse than Shakhraichuk or Simchuk.
- But the situation with hockey in Ukraine is changing for the better or is everything still?
- You know, this year the national team is surprisingly all right. The problem with clubs, uniforms, and medications has been resolved. Even per diems are paid. Previously, there was none of this.
- Do they develop hockey in the country?
- Yes, I read, some arenas are being built. But there is no championship yet. The only team is in Belarus. But at least there are some shifts. Maybe after some time it will bring results.
Alexey Shevchenko