So I’m pretty surprised at how poor the russians are playing. i figured they wouldnt win just because canadas team looks so damn strong, but i didnt expect the russians to flat out not play well.
They just dont look like theyve ever played or practiced together at all. it looks like they want to play pond hockey and go end to end around 5 guys to score their goals, or take a 50 foot slapper inside the corner. thats not how you win at the professional level, nor at the international level.
You’d probably have to point to the coaching as a factor, but dont let the players off the hook either. Cherepanov looks pretty bad out there, Anisimov definitely looks better, but how much better, I am not sure. You need to use your linemates to create plays and defend your own zone. You try to create 2 on 1’s all over the ice, and exploit them as they develop (ie, isolations if they are there). The Russians are just not playing winning hockey, they are playing selfish, loser hockey. The kind of hockey I hate watching.
-Inferno
