Alexander Semin: "We Didn't Change Anything During Ovy's Absence"
by tuvanhillbilly on Dec 6, 2009 10:35 PM EST
in Translations
34 comments
In this weekend's edition of Sport-Express is the following brief interview of Alexander Semin by Slava Malamud, following the Washington Capital's 6:2 thumping of the Florida Panthers. Alex S. did an admirable job stepping up his game, and here's hoping that continues when Alex O. returns.
***
Slava Malamud Washington
Is Alex Ovechkin as indispensable to Washington as we think? Actually, yes. Of course he's indispensable, and even more than we think. We simply haven't had the opportunity to see the effect of his prolonged absence. But don't underestimate how the Capitals can unite and compensate for an Ovechkin insufficiency for two or three individual games. Especially against Florida.
This was Washington's third game against the Panthers this season, and all of them have been played without Ovechkin. The Capitals were victorious in all the matchups, scoring a total of 17 goals. Not too shabby for an exsanguinous team, am I right? All-in-all, this season Washington has had seven games without its main star, and garnered 11 of an available 14 points in those games. Apparently, it's time to admit that the Capitals aren't such a bad team just by themselves. Especially when Semyon Varlamov is in net.
The young Russian (who, if you recall, started the season in less than spectacular fashion) has won 11 of 15 games, losing two more in shootouts. He has won 24 out of an available 30 points - which is the best record among NHL goaltenders. In this game, Semyon had a very good chance to have his second shutout in eight days, but after the team got up to a 6:0 lead, they slacked off and allowed the visitors to spoil the goalkeeper's statistics. The always good-natured Varlamov was so upset that he didn't stop to talk to the press after the game. Washington seems to have the bad habit at times of stopping playing when they build up an advantage. Fortunately, even without Ovechkin, Washington's advantage can be prodded more than just a little bit. Especially when Alexander Semin is healthy.
The Siberian, who returned to the team after a seven-game absence, was the main hero, having a hand in four of the team's six goals. At the end of the game he could have had a hat-trick, but a fantastic scoring chance for Alexander was ruined by a broken stick. After the game, Semin shared his thoughts with your Sport-Express reporter on what it is like for him to be a main leader on the team.
You said earlier that you would need two or three games to get back in the swing of things after a long absence.
"Well, it's a good thing it turned out like it did. Everything worked out just right for me today. I could have even scored some more. Why was that? I don't know. Actually, I spent all my off time practicing, I didn't just sit around."
Do you feel like you are one hundred percent?
"It's difficult, of course. For two weeks I lost my rhythm a little bit. But everything feels good, and I didn't forget how to skate."
Are you sorry you didn't make the hat trick at the end?
"Yeah, I had two opportunities there. First, my stick broke, and then I almost broke away from a defender, but somehow he managed to get the puck away from me."
Do your sticks break very often?
"No."
When you're in situations like that, you usually shoot a wrist shot, but you decided to use a slapshot.
"I thought it was a little far. I probably just didn't have the energy to go any farther. That line was worn out."
Have you had to adjust in any way to Ovechkin's absence?
"No, we haven't changed anything. We just went out and played our game. The team performed flawlessly. Of course it's a pity that Ovy wasn't there, but what can you do?"
Do you feel that without him you have to take his place?
"This was my first game after (recovering from) my injury, and that's always tough. The guys really helped me, so I didn't think anything like that."
So maybe it's even easier for you without Ovechkin?
"We don't play specifically for him. I play according to the situation. If the situation calls for a pass, you pass. If it doesn't, you play it yourself. We don't have this attitude that we all work for a particular person."
Semyon Varlamov was a little upset.
"It's a shame, of course. The entire game was going towards a shutout, and then we stopped playing for a little bit."
You guys seem to do this quite a bit.
"Yeah, because it was 6:0. It turned out that we all slacked off a little bit, even though coach did say ‘Let's play for the goalie!'. And that's what happened."
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Yea if I was Varly I would be pretty pissed too if my team stopped skating if a shutout was on the line for me
by washfan29 on Dec 6, 2009 10:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
That game was an example of the Caps playing approximately 57 minutes of hockey instead of 60. (At least they had a 6 goal cushion when they lapsed.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
So still no reason to stop playing
by washfan29 on Dec 6, 2009 11:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If I were Varlamov I’d be pissed that I gave up a terrible rebound to break the shutout, regardless of what the team was doing.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
No dude, he should be angry at the guy who mentioned it in the GDT.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 7, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Great that Semin has done well the last couple of games — without Ovi. One noticeable difference with Semin in the lineup — the power play has been effective, which is what it frankly has not been with him absent. Knuble’s absence has not helped but here is the tale of the tape of the Caps’ power play has been with Semin absent.
Enumeration:
Atlanta game: Caps win. PP scores nada and gives up shortie.
Isles game: Caps win in OT. PP scores nada and gives up shortie.
Rangers game (when Ovi first gets back): Caps win and Ovi and Brooks score PP goals
Montreal game (Caps lose 3-2) Caps are 0 for 4 in PP opportunities
Toronto game (Caps lost 2-1 in shootout) Caps are 0 for 3 in PP opportunities
Ottawa game (Caps lost 4-3 in OT). Caps are 0 for 3 in PP opportunities
Buffalo game (Caps win) Caps get 0 power play opportunities
Carolina game (Caps win). Caps are 0 for 6 in PP opportunities.
Rocking the Red since 1975
TRADE SEMIN NOW
Oh wait he’s actually useful?
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
exsanguinous???
You will never hear that word applied in any other sport.
Maybe because it’s what I think whenever I see this guy…
If you've read this far...seek help.
While doubtless I could have availed myself of a less onerous word, it simply wouldn’t do for the fine upscale crowd we serve here at the rink. Remember, eschew obfuscation!
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
In Soviet Russia, Russians teach YOU English!
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 6, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
If the situation calls for a pass, you pass. If it doesn’t, youplay it yourselfpass twice.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 6, 2009 11:10 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
Tuvan, thanks again for a great translation. Question: these translations always seem to use more poetic language than our usual fare from American interviewers and interviewees. How much of that is in the original, and how much do you add? I get the strong impression that Russian readers value beautiful turns of phrase far more than Americans…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
You mean you don’t appreciate Washington Capitals Poet Laureate Brooks Laich’s contemplative “If you want money…” verse?
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Dec 6, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
In case Tuvan doesn’t respond to this I’m about 99% sure these are direct translations.
They call him nightmare...
I suppose we create our own media as a reflection of ourselves. Still and all, I do wish that American outlets would put more emphasis on beautiful writing. I love reading these, and one of the reasons is the care and attention paid to language.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 7, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
it’s a bit of a cultural thing. Americans (and Canadians) tend to be more direct. Russians strike me as being similar to Italians: a beautiful phrase is valued. It actually drove me a little mad in Italy, people spending 20 minutes constructing this beautiful and elaborate sentences, dancing around the point because directness is considered ugly. (and the Italians are, if nothing else, obsessed with beauty in every aspect of their lives)
I had much the same thought. It also seems to reflect stereotypical Russian fatalism. I reread it twice just to let the beauty of the rhythm of the sentence structure sink in. Definitely different from an American interview. Always trying to figure out if Semin is cagey, posing, or just a true Russian fatalist — or all of the above.
Very good question! And yes, I hope that my translations give some indication of the artistic style that Slava employs in his writing. It makes translating a bit more difficult, but the end result is worth the effort. FYI, I actually asked Slava about his style and how his Russian readers respond to it back in an interview on my old site. It is towards the end of the interview.
As most of you know, there are two main reporters for the Russian sporting press, and the other is Dmitry Chesnokov. He is also a great guy and writer, with his own writing style. If you want to know more about him, I also interviewed him.
Thanks for the kind words!
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Dec 7, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
I know the Russians are a tight community and support each other as a rule, but that shutout being blown falls squarely on Varlamov’s shoulders. That rebound to the slot was inexcusable regardless of how the team was playing.
/I’d bet someone already said this, now I’ll scroll up and read the comments.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 7, 2009 12:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
On re-reading this I realize it might come off a little harsh. I’m not trying to impugn you Tuvan (or Slava), your contributions are yet another thing that separates the Rink from the animals other SBN blogs. Nor do I have a problem with the Russian community being especially tight knit. I’m just trying to state that I think this article puts too much blame on the team and not enough on Varlamov for the shutout being blown.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 7, 2009 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
The rebound in the slot was bad and part of the reason Varlamov was probably mad. But, the team did let up some
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
I felt like the let up really came after that goal. Players know when a shutout is on the line and they really want to seal it. Nobody wants to be the guy to make the mistake that leads to a goal against so they generally still take their defensive responsibilities seriously. The initial shot came from a non-dangerous area; i.e. the D was still doing their job. After the shutout was blown I agree that they got more lax in their own end because at that point there was nothing left to play for.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 7, 2009 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It just said Varly was angry. He was probably mad at himself.
Is Semin supposed to blame Varly or just say, “yeah that sucks, we should have played harder where they didn’t even get a chance to get a shot off.”
Sort of a throw away line IMO.
They call him nightmare...
This is the line I was referring to:
In this game, Semyon had a very good chance to have his second shutout in eight days, but after the team got up to a 6:0 lead, they slacked off and allowed the visitors to spoil the goalkeeper’s statistics.
Listen to Ol' Hank Murphy and eat your damn onions.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 7, 2009 2:24 AM EST up reply actions
That makes sense. There was some let up before the second goal, but after that it was hard again. Too bad, Varly had a great game anyway, just not perfect.
btw, I’m loving this Varly vs Theo stuff. If we can keep it going most of the season it will be great. 1a 1b
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
In a way I wish AO wasn’t coming back tonight. Seeing the team play without all of his 1-on-3 rushes has been quite a treat.
The argument could be made we played against two teams that weren’t exactly in top form, but the Caps have been without quite a few other key players in these games and played very well. They moved the puck quickly, they got scoring outside the top lines, seemingly scored at will, and looked like a team.
Chris Clark is right to quietly tell the young players that they need to play hard now because the team can’t stay intact for the long term – maybe not even beyond this season.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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