Proffessor G DIDDY said:
Everyone is blaming Bryzgalov for some reason. But look back at the game 36 shots given away along with 8 power plays and numerous breaks.
Russia needed a better defensive forwards, Kharitonov and Viktor Kozlov are pretty much deadweight. Kharitonov doesn't have the size and Kozlov doesn't have the speed. Why players like Brylin and S. Kozlov weren't taken I don't know.
Secondly the Russian defense was always rushing up in attack. The Slovaks were smarter, their defenders just absorbed the attacks, minimised shots and then counter attacked. Russia should have followed suit and although it might have been dull game, I believe the Slovak defense would have cracked first.
Its going to be a difficult 2nd match for Russia against Sweden. Who are lot better in defense, their forwards also have a good mix of speed, skill and size. If Nabokov is in goal then Russia can match them defensively and they do have more speed up front.
So they should take page or 80 out of Slovakia's game plans and just defend eagerly and look to scorch Sweden on odd-man rushes, counterattacks and powerplays.
I thought Kharitonov was OK while he was with Yashin and Su. Kozlov did not show much, but he did not do anything terrible either, and made that nice pass to Su at the end that should have been a goal. I agree that Brylin would have been more useful than either of them, but I've watched S.Kozlov in Atlanta this year, and trust me, he's a non-factor. Kharitonov level, at most... he's just a name at this point.
In general, forwards not getting back and d-men pinching, to me its part of overall team tactics. The coach has got to manage this, players on the ice just react, they will react better if they have clear roles. They've been out of the old Russian system long enough that its not automatic for them, and Krikunov has to establish some system. Right now either there is no system, or the players are not following it... and I think its more of the former, actually - maybe he's waiting to get more familiar with his team, I don't know.
The problem is, this Russian team is not best at the "dull game".. I think small but concrete adjustments are needed - e.g. to put responsiblity on the centers to come back at all costs, let the wings do whatever they want on offense.
Krikunov has to make the adjustments, the older guys have to stick to it on the ice, then it will fall into place..
Lets just say we have difference of opinion on Bryza's contribution to the loss, and leave it at that. Nabokov now gets the chance to prove he can be perfect - so lets hope he does.
