ALL NEWS

Interviews before the senior national team's game with Finland

02.11.2016

Rashit Davydov, Russian national team goalkeeping coach:

- Ilya Sorokin will play in net tomorrow. It's a logical decision, he has more experience at this level. He played in the Euro Hockey Tour last year.

- How good is Igor Shestyorkin? Many think that any goaltender can become a star in SKA.

- I like to stay away from the word star. Also, I don't agree that any goalkeeper would play well in Saint Petersburg. Both Igor Shestyorkin and Mikko Koskinen have a lot of work, even when the teams wins with a large score. Both are doing great. It's more difficult when the opposing team don't have many chances.

- It seemed as though Vasily Demchenko didn't expect to be called up.

- We are following all of our players. It's great that more and more young Russian netminders are playing in the KHL. Vasily Demchenko had a poor spell last season too, but this call up should give him belief. Two years ago, Ilya Sorokin had the same situation, but his performance at the Karjala Cup helped him gain a spot on CSKA Moscow's team. It's important for the guys to know that we are watching them.

Ilya Sorokin, Russian national team goaltender:

- I feel as I usually do. We're preparing for the match. People look at me differently than last season? I simply try and play my game. 

- In comparison to last season, what has changed for you?

- There are some goaltending issues that I am working on in order to improve.

- As a goalkeeper, what's the most difficult thing that you face against Finland?

- I don't look that deeply into who we play against. The main thing is to do my job well. Finland have good, strong players.

Igor Ozhiganov, Russian national team defenseman:

- Despite not being called up for the first time, I wouldn't say that I feel like the team's leader. Yes, there are less nerves that before, but I still have them. Is the system here similar to the one in my club? Yes, everything's comfortable.

- Tomorrow, will you focus on defending or attacking?

- Before the game, the coaches will give us the game plan which we will stick to.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation 

Similar news

Red Machine training camp in Zapolyarny
Training camps in accordance with the Red Machine National Development Program were staged in Zapolyarny.
01.04.2025
30.03.2025
RIHF specialists are helping Iran prepare for the World Championship
Specialists representing the RIHF are staging a training camp for the Iranian national team in Tehran.
28.03.2025
Vladislav Tretiak: "The idea of Russia and America facing each other on the ice is fantastic"
RIHF President Vladislav Tretiak has spoken about the possibility of Russia and the USA playing against each other.
19.03.2025

Partners and sponsors