The playoffs provide answers to all questions. In vain did the Russian team give all the best in every match, sweeping one opponent after another? Is it true that Ilya Kovalchuk at this World Cup transformed into a team player? Is it possible to do without a goalkeeper from the NHL?
Let's not underestimate the Czech team, thereby belittling the merits of our hockey players. What if the Czechs lost three matches in a row before the quarter-finals? A year ago, Alois Gadamchik’s guys also joined the Russian team from fourth place in the group and moved on to the finals. This time they did not grow together.
Eremenko
Arriving at the World Cup in the status of a substitute goalkeeper for Ak Bars, Alexander, with every game, every minute spent on the court, proved that there are goalkeepers in Russia who are not ashamed to appear at the World Cup. And his permanent expectation from overseas, either Nabokov or Bryzgalov, did not bother him at all. I went to the next opponent and played each time better and more confidently. Italy - yes, what are the problems? Sweden - no questions. Czech Republic - as you say. So that? Are there goalkeepers in Russia?
Markov
In his face, we thank all the defenders of the Russian national team who kept their ears open for the whole match - this is the only way to play with the Czechs. And by all means helped Eremenko to remain "dry." Special thanks to Andrei Markov, who was simply perfect in defense and unstoppable in attack. Opened an account - no need to remind how important it is to score first in a match with the Czechs. I hit the gate again - what can I do if, except by hand, in that episode the puck wasn’t caught? Finally, hit the post - why not a hat-trick?
Kovalchuk
Ilya did not score the Czechs, but pleased him incredibly. Yes, today was not the day of sniper Kovalchuk. There were enough moments, even at point-blank Chekhmanek shot - there was no puck, even crack. But Ilya worked in this match in such a way that reproaching him at least for something just does not turn his tongue. And pressed ahead, and insured the defenders in his area. And he will score, hopefully, next time.
Malkin
Of course, he was very tired - it was a very difficult year. And drove into this championship for a long time, with a creak. But then he rolled so much. The day before yesterday, the Swedes pretty much got from him. And he simply rolled the Czechs under the ice. His first goal in this match was so necessary, so timely: the debut of the third period, the score slippery to horror. And now, with one right, he was picking the puck into the gates of Chekhmanek after another inaccurate throw of the unlucky Kovalchuk that day. And the second goal was simply the embodiment of the Malkin player. He is a jewelry hockey player, but at the same time a hard worker. Eugene first worked out - made an interception, and then scored a brilliant goal. The throw angle was too sharp, and Malkin, having put the goalkeeper in feints, went around the gate and rolled the puck into the empty ones.
Character
You can continue to list the entire national team of Russia. There is a part of everyone in this victory - that's why it took place. Did, for example, Ivan Nepryaev do less for her than Malkin? No! Remember how in the third period he and Markov, Gonchar, and, of course, Eremenko fought off the five Czechs for a minute. It was no less beautiful than the most amazing goals.
And the Five of the Happy? She just suffered her goal. Over and over again, these guys arranged a carousel in the Czech zone - not as openwork as the Kazan link is capable of - furious, aggressive. And they scored Czechmanek! It was after this goal that it became finally clear that the Russian team was in the semifinals, and nothing would hinder it.
Least of all now I want to get boring, looking for errors, analyzing the game in detail, warning about problems in the semifinals. There is only one desire - to rejoice, to feel the victory. And say thank you to the team. She went to this match to win. She knew what was needed for this, and achieved her own.