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Reaction after playing the Czechs at the 2021 World Junior Championship
28.12.2020
Following the 0:2 defeat to the Czech Republic in the second match of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Canada, junior Russian national team head coach Igor Larionov, defenseman Semyon Chistyakov and forward Yegor Afanasyev all shared their emotions.
Russia U20 head coach Igor Larionov:
- It is a worry for us that we aren't scoring goals. We made line changes today, however, unfortunately, the Czechs blocked a lot of shots. We aren't getting the puck to their net and we're not winning the battles. We must work on these aspects.
There weren't any problems with the guys' mindset, we had warned them that we had also lost to the Czech Republic last year. Historically, they are very awkward opponents for us, it's always difficult. Our players tried and did everything they could. Unfortunately, these things happen, but it's good that it happened today and not in the final. We lose together and win together. This loss will serve as a lesson for us.
Russia U20 defenseman Semyon Chistyakov:
- Both teams played well. We moved the puck well, but we didn't create big chances in front of their net. The Czechs sat in defence and blocked our shots. We need to get the puck to their net, if we don't create opportunities the goals won't arrive. They scored their first goal after the puck took a bad deflection off the boards.
Russia U20 forward Yegor Afanasyev:
- We aren't going to put this result down to luck. The Czech Republic did a great job, they played well and weren't afraid to put their bodies on the line, it seemed as though they blocked 50 shots today. We need to think about our performance and have a different mentality for the next game. We were made to pay for allowing them to have threatening counter-attacks. The Czechs only have that kind of mindset for Russia? I don't think that's true, I'm sure that they have the same motivation for all matches at the World Junior Championship. They played well, but we need to improve. We'll have our next training session tomorrow.
Russia U20 head coach Igor Larionov:
- It is a worry for us that we aren't scoring goals. We made line changes today, however, unfortunately, the Czechs blocked a lot of shots. We aren't getting the puck to their net and we're not winning the battles. We must work on these aspects.
There weren't any problems with the guys' mindset, we had warned them that we had also lost to the Czech Republic last year. Historically, they are very awkward opponents for us, it's always difficult. Our players tried and did everything they could. Unfortunately, these things happen, but it's good that it happened today and not in the final. We lose together and win together. This loss will serve as a lesson for us.
Russia U20 defenseman Semyon Chistyakov:
- Both teams played well. We moved the puck well, but we didn't create big chances in front of their net. The Czechs sat in defence and blocked our shots. We need to get the puck to their net, if we don't create opportunities the goals won't arrive. They scored their first goal after the puck took a bad deflection off the boards.
Russia U20 forward Yegor Afanasyev:
- We aren't going to put this result down to luck. The Czech Republic did a great job, they played well and weren't afraid to put their bodies on the line, it seemed as though they blocked 50 shots today. We need to think about our performance and have a different mentality for the next game. We were made to pay for allowing them to have threatening counter-attacks. The Czechs only have that kind of mindset for Russia? I don't think that's true, I'm sure that they have the same motivation for all matches at the World Junior Championship. They played well, but we need to improve. We'll have our next training session tomorrow.
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