WJC: Dec 26 GDT - Czech Republic vs. Russia

WeThreeKings

Habs cup - its in the BAG
Sep 19, 2006
91,746
94,003
Halifax
Russia leads 2-1 after 2.

How is Valentenko playing? Does he play on the PK?

Well, he finished a +2. So that must count for something.

Valentenko a + 2. Sergei Kotstitsyn 1 goal, 1 assist and Price with a shutout. Very good outing for the Canadiens prospects at the tournament thus far.
 

Slitty

Registered User
Oct 23, 2005
3,875
8
Cherepanov is first line center :)

Come one guys ! Go Russia Go !
I think our first line Bumagin - Cherepanov - Krysanov will be dominant :)


Uhm, didn't Krysanov center the first line... or am I experiencing hallucinations? In fact, what would be the point in playing a center in Krysanov on the wing and a the primarily left-winger Cherepanov at center? :confused:
 

Kaizer

Registered User
Apr 26, 2003
4,574
428
Berlin, Germany
Last edited:

Alessandro Seren Rosso

Registered User
Jun 21, 2004
5,777
213
Europe
thehockeywriters.com

Slitty

Registered User
Oct 23, 2005
3,875
8
After re-watching the games a couple of times, I may as well share my impressions.

-Despite being labelled the 1st line and producing two of Russia's goals, Cherepanov-Krysanov-Bumgain were more like not the most dangerous and did not receive the most icetime.
-Coversly, this year Russia has three fairly balanced scoring lines, with a scarcely used 4th line.
-For the most part Russia got outmatched physically, yet they were not dominated, and on the whole the Czechs' physical play did not Pejorative Slur their game or frustrate them.
-Russia had much more motion in their game, for the most part playing much prettier hockey than the simple north-south game of the Czechs.
-There were several instances in the game when there were two Czech forwards in around the crease and only one Russian defenseman. The first Czech goal was scored due to this recurring problem.
-Russia, for the most part, dominated in terms of puck possession.
-Semen Varlamov was calm, cool, and unspectacularly solid. He will need to play a much better as the tournament progresses though. Although he wasn't called upon to make them this time, he will have to make some big saves. He will also have to be more consistent, the goals he let in today were very stoppable.
-Cherepanov is not yet excelling on the world stage, there was some luck in his two points. He was not a leader on this team, did not carry his line, and received limited playing time. He did seem like a very smart on the ice in terms of doing some important little things and making a couple nifty passes, but was also rather invisible save for a few plays.
-Bumagin was incredibly shifty, and showed some impressive puck possession on a few occassions. However, he was for the most part invisible and disappeared for most of the game.
-Krysanov had an up and down game, and for the most part was ineffective and hardly the leader many expected him to be on this team. He had a few nice passes, a few good defensive plays, and a solid breakout or two... but he also had some brutal turnovers, was largely ineffective in the offensive zone, and was invisible for long stretches. He almost scored, and probably should have.
-Russia's 2nd line of Zubov-Churilov-Kiryukhin was actually the #1 line in terms of playing time, and was the best line both offensively and defensively.
-Churilov was Russia's best player: he contributed both offensively and defensively. He was extremely solid in the defensive zone, crossed the opponent's zone almost unhindered, cycled well, intricitely maintained possession of the puck, made some beautiful passes, and overall played a great game. I have been calling for this guy to be drafted for two years now, hopefully someone picks up on it this year and gets themselves a steal.
-Zubov played a very good game and was one of Russia's best players. He utilized his offensive skills well, and for the most part Czech defenders were pylons for him. He was 2nd to only Makarov in terms of being the most dangerous Russian forward. However, he also contributed defensively and battled really well.
-Kiryukhin had a good game and showed heart as well. He worked hard defensively and stickhandled past opponents fairly well. However, his downfall both on defense and offense was that he is simply not too fast. While he stickhandled passed a couple of opponents quite easily, he didn't have the speed to break away. He was also very slow on the penalty kill, seeming very lazy as a result. He also blew a surefire goal by waiting too long.
-Makarov was the best Russian offensively. He was quite simply unstoppable and both blew buy defenders on the boards as well as effortless entered the zone and maintained control of the puck amidst a sea of Czech players. Good defensively as well and showed amazing work ethic. I was impressed with his work along the boards and him battling through checks; drawing penalties in the process.
-Anisimov was a beast. He was excellent defensively, excellent although not quite as flashy offensively, and Russia's biggest physical presence. Overall one of Russia's best players.
-Vasyunov, apart from drawing a penalty, was completely useless.
-Musatov showed some skill in his limted time on the ice, and will likely get first consideration for an upgrade to a scoring line. Largely unnoticeable though.
-Kucheryavenko played with heart in the absence of talent, but had almost no effect on the game.
-Glovtasky, apart from one amazing long pass, was useless.
-Buravchikov was good as usual.
-Ryasenky was one of Russia's best blueliner defensively and physically, but was a turnover machine in the offensive zone repeatedly. A very poor game overall.
-Valentenko was solid and quite physical. However, he doesn't deserve any of the powerplay time he got as he has got - he has very few offensive bones in his body.
-Loginov was Russia's best defenceman. He was a man on a mission offensively and was unlucky not to get two goals. He was also very solid defensively and was deservingly out there in the 6-on-4 situation to end the game.
-Zubarev was good.
-Anikeyenko was good.
-Alexandrov played a fairly poor game, saw very little icetime, and did not impress. He got beaten where he shouldn't have a few times.
-Voinov saw very little icetime. When he was out there it showed that he is only 16. He looked quite uncertain, and made a couple non-costly little errors.
-Bespalov was too busy chatting it up with some chick in the stands to watch the game. :biglaugh:
 
Last edited:

Slitty

Registered User
Oct 23, 2005
3,875
8
Considering Kiryukhin played with a fairly bad ankle injury and was limping after the game , I withdraw all my lack of speed/lazyness comments. Hopefully getting juiced up on painkillers will help him against Switzerland.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad