The fact that Khodynka was a day free from games affected the security. She somehow lost her nose, and the security service was nowhere to be seen. Getting to the locker room of the Russian team was much easier than usual.
The corridors on Khodynka are very close, and when team workers put their machines there for sharpening skates and adjusting clubs there, you can’t go at all. It should be noted that Julius Schupler, the head coach of the Slovak national team (and the Slovaks locker room is opposite the Russian one), he cut his stick, deftly wielding a file.
Peter Happy, barely coming out of the ice, came face to face with Zdeno Hara. Rather, face with a chest, after all, the Slovak giant on skates looks even worse than in life. But the captain of the Russian team was not afraid, and even chatted amiably with him.
Some Canadians came up with “red” (organizers) accreditation cards. “Is Malkin or Potter here?” They asked, peering into the locker room. Eugene had already left, but Sergei was happy to chat with guests from overseas.
In general, it was interesting to find out if the national team coaches had time to contact Yevgeny Nabokov, who completed the Stanley Cup performance that night. Sergei Nemchinov, who is responsible for communication with our legionnaires, looked at Vyacheslav Bykov, saying that he would answer. But after persistent requests he confessed.
- Eugene, we have not called. Early.
- So they finished at 8.30 Moscow time. Could call. It is unlikely that he immediately went to bed.
- Yes, at such a time, the phones are turned off there.
But the general meaning is clear - the goalkeeper will be called. By the way, they are also waiting for Tyutin and Brylin, but there is no specific date yet.
Vitaly Proshkin walked along the corridor in one towel. Everyone tried to talk to someone on the phone.
- Happy birthday to you, Vitaly. Congratulations already?
- Yes, there was a general congratulation.
- A gift?
- No, there was no present yet.
- How will you celebrate?
- But as usual - no way. All the time the World Cup is a holiday. I will celebrate on the 13th evening.
After the finale, therefore.
By the way, today on the basis of the national team there will again be a concert. This time, Yuri Grigoryev was invited (he leads a certain program “Ah, anecdote, anecdote”), and not some DJs there.
“Hockey players themselves asked for an artist of colloquial genre,” said Vladimir Gerasimov, the team’s press attaché. - But many could not come - now is the touring season. The guys wanted to see Yuri Galtsev, they even held negotiations with him, but he has a busy schedule.
- And how will you congratulate Vitaly Proshkin?
- Today in the morning he was congratulated at one of the radio stations. And in the evening, something will be for sure.
Danis Zaripov constantly rang the phone.
“I get 25-30 tickets for acquaintances to the game,” he said.
- Everything is free?
- No - two free. The rest is for the money.
- Tell me honestly, are you trying to win the scoring race against Morozov and Zinoviev?
- It seems so to you. We do not compete - just play.
- Aren't you afraid that Jan Marek will tell you how to act against your link?
- And what can he tell something? What does he know?
- I beat you in the final.
- Us? Not. We scored and gave in every match. So how to close us, he does not know.
Alexander Ovechkin at the end of the training was very grim. He refused the interview, as did Evgeni Malkin, as well as Sergey Zinoviev.
“Later, later,” shouted the Ak Bars striker.
- When later?
- After the World Cup.
What number should I plan for? ..
Alexey Shevchenko