Key moment
We will proceed from the fact that there are no unfair deletions - only controversial. And in the episode for which Alexander Ovechkin received 5 + 20, there is something to argue with. First: the chief referee Milan Minarg missed this point, and made a decision based not only on the advice of the lineman, but, it seems, on the diagnosis of the Swiss doctor. Second: Ovechkin did not rush to Valentin Virtz, he met him - these are different actions. Third: the Swiss moved towards Alexander with the puck and his head bowed. However, our right is to argue, the arbiter's right to make decisions. IIHF rules are very strict on the contact game and its consequences.
The Russian team gathered after this episode, elegantly played a five-minute period in the minority, after which they scored a goal. What an honor and praise to her. It seems that the team has no problems with the character at all.
First five
Proshkin - Nikulin, Morozov - Zinoviev - Zaripov
Played convincingly. The puck, abandoned in the first shift, saved the team from half of the problems that the match promised. Such teams become significantly less dangerous when they are missed first and especially so fast. It should also be noted that the Kazan five still have not conceded a single goal.
Second five
Markov - Potter, Frolov - Malkin - Kovalchuk
Add on the eyes. By far the best link game in the championship. They added a lot in the majority, mainly because they began to move better and play a pass faster. Kovalchuk flourished, having served five minutes after Ovechkin’s removal on the penalty box, and then playing for Alexander for a half period. He scored a very necessary goal, he threw a good mark on Markov. And more than once gave out excellent programs. Even when he took the game upon himself, he did not flirt. And in general, he proved himself the leader of both the link and the whole team. So would continue. Still, Evgeni Malkin would have fumbled with the puck less - this most often led to losses.
Third five
Atyushov - Grebeshkov, Radulov - Happy - Kharitonov
The whole five did not show themselves. We missed the second goal of the Swiss: for some reason, Grebeshkov rushed to cover the long-range shot, Atyushov - on his player, missed finishing. In short, they didn’t figure it out - it happens. A separate Happy played great. And the goal was scored excellent, and the pass to Zaripov was good (and Proshkin before that from his zone gave a masterpiece in general).
Fourth five
Emelin - Kondratiev, Kulemin - Nepryaev - Ovechkin (Kovalchuk)
In the starting combination we played quite a bit. Therefore, you can evaluate only a couple of defenders, but attackers separately. Kulemin and Nepryaev spent a little time on the site and were hardly noticeable. But Emelin and Kondratyev didn’t work in the episode with the first puck missed: they left behind Ryutemann, who quietly closed Koshechkin’s visibility on the spot when he threw Straight. However, there is nothing to blame them. It is quite difficult to maintain the rhythm of the game, periodically sitting on the bench, because only these four did not participate in the majority teams at all.
Goalkeeper
Vasily Koshechkin
Something is not lucky yet to the Togliatti goalkeeper. In most episodes with missing goals, he did not see the shots. It feels like the defenders themselves are afraid to go to their heels when at the gate Koshechkin. As a result, Vasily seems to play confidently, takes his throws, sometimes helps out, but misses too much. And, most likely, Bykov’s decision as a goalkeeper for the playoffs, if Nabokov’s possible arrival is out of the question, will completely depend on Eremenko’s game with the Swedes.
Special brigades
Most did not work very well for the Zinoviev brigade, but Malkin's five clearly added. They scored, however, just one puck. But the interaction in this link is improving with every match. And the implementation - with such a movement and the desire to play the pass - should improve too.
In the minority, defenders with a frightening frequency lose the position on the spot - you definitely need to do something about this. The exception so far is only Proshkin and Nikulin. As a result, the Russian team has one of the worst indicators of neutralizing the majority. Moreover, our team is the least removed.
Summary
In the third period, Bykov put Zinoviev on the bench, who had long-standing problems with his hand, and the three attackers came in a variety of variations. Since the outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion, our hockey players played with pleasure, no matter which partner was near. It is noticeable that the overall tone of the team is growing, and this inspires optimism.
And the fact that they began to play less accurately in defense is a consequence of both new combinations and advantage in the long run. That is, to attach importance to this is completely not worth it. It is much more important that the entire Russian team spent the whole match without neglecting the opponent, but with dignity and superiority.
Ahead is a match with the Swedes, in which the winner of group E will be determined. It will be very important to take first place if the Germans become fourth in another group. Otherwise, the choice between Czechs and Slovaks, and, consequently, the result of the match with the Swedes, makes no sense. If only to strengthen morale - the Swedish team for Bykov is still the most uncomfortable opponent.