Yarkko Ruutu, who attacked Peter the Happy in the preliminary stage match, appeared in the mixed zone 15 minutes after the final siren. And dutifully answered questions of Finnish journalists.
A press officer of the national team Vladimir Gerasimov was sent for Alexander Ovechkin, who returned with nothing:
- He refused.
Too many players have recently begun to refuse conversations.
Moreover, not a single team in this tournament has such indifference to its press. Canadians dutifully come out of the locker rooms, Americans too. Italians generally run out at any time. We are glad that at least someone is interested in them.
The most reliable in the Russian team are Sergey Gonchar and Alexander Frolov. Forward "Los Angeles Kings" is not averse even to joke. After playing with the Swiss team, he went out with a bouquet of yellow tulips. What is surprising, because Danis Zaripov was recognized as the best player.
“Not you became the best, Alexander!” - shouted to him.
- Yes, they did.
“But the best players are given a gold bar.”
“And the worst are flowers,” Frolov laughed.
“You won’t have any further weak opponents,” they tried to calm him.
- Yes, we have five victories. Five wins, understand?
On the day of the match, the press center hosted an incendiary table hockey match. Well-known referees met - Alexander Cherenkov and Sergey Karabanov.
“Who is judging you?” - they asked them.
- Bulanov, they answered frowningly.
Both had a serious problem with goals.
By the way, Sergey Karabanov with some even joy commented on the moment with the removal of Alexander Ovechkin.
“There was a violation,” he said in the smoking room. - The penalty match was written out to him fairly.
- Would Ovechkin be removed in Russia?
Karabanov only smiled shyly.
Alexey Shevchenko