Disgraceful performance by Russia. I have seen video of the '82 and '85 losses, but this is easily the worst Russian performance in WJ history. It was a humiliation for the kids, who know they are much better than the way they looked, and it was an embarrassment for Russian hockey fans, who want to feel pride for being more than just good losers!
All thanks for this debacle go to the Nutty Professor, Igor Larionov. Larionov came into this tournament being one of the most hated names in Russian hockey history, and he did nothing but increase the hockey fans' contempt for him. There is an old Russian proverb that says "Igor Larionov is a dog turd with ears and horn-rimmed glasses." The announcers were chirping about how Larionov had said pre-tournament that he wanted to make playing hockey "fun again" for the kids. I haven't seen a single smile on any kid's face throughout the entire tournament. They are demoralized and dejected. I wish they didn't have to be subjected to another game, a so-called "Bronze Medal," as if it was the Olympics or something. They are likely to have their asses handed to them be either Finland or the United States, given their current state of mind. I hope the Oligarchs (Rotenberg) will pull the plug on Larionov, and have him go back to peddling flesh in North America. But I wouldn't bet on it.
