Reaction after Russia U16 defeat Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games

Vladimir Filatov, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Matvey Michkov all shared their opinions after the under 16 Russian national team defeated Canada 6:2 in the first match of the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland.

Head coach Vladimir Filatov:

- We started on the front foot, this is something which all Russian national teams should do. Yes, of course we respect all of our opponents, but we are not afraid of anyone. The guys listened to what we had to say. We will try to play like this every time. During the second period, we did lose the initiative a bit, but we clawed it back in the third frame. Every game at this competition will be interesting.

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko:

- The fact that we scored so many goals during the first period certainly helped us. In the second period, taking into account the scoreline, we did begin to relax. However, we improved in the third period, seeing the game out successfully. I think that our training camp in Novogorsk helped us be in great shape for this tournament, we always love to play an attacking brand of ice hockey. The most important thing is not to relax and to take each opponent seriously.

Forward Matvey Michkov:

- The first period ensured that we won. Unfortunately, we didn't do overly well during the second period, but the coaches told us to improve in the third stanza and we did. Denmark? I haven't seen how they play, but all teams are strong so we have to play with the correct mentality.