Ovechkin is a Soldier, Semin Wants to Play Against Backstrom, and Malkin Has a Hankering for Some Borscht and Goals
by tuvanhillbilly on Jan 23, 2010 1:44 AM EST
in Translations
24 comments
After the Capitals/Penguins game, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Evgeni Malkin all talked with Sovetsky Sport reporter Pavel Lysenkov. Before the Caps left Mellon arena, the trio had a friendly meeting, most likely discussing some last minute details before the start of the Vancouver Olympics in 3 weeks, where the three will be united on the Russian National Team.
***
SEMIN: "IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO PLAY AGAINST BACKSTROM"
"You might say we were lucky" figures Alexander Semin. "We successfully scored the fourth goal, and just a minute later Backstrom is able to score on the power play."
Does it help that Brent Johnson used to play for Washington and you knew his moves?
"We really didn't think about this. It really doesn't matter who Pittsburgh has in net.... Anyhow, it's even more difficult to play against your own goalkeeper, because not only do we know his moves, he's studied us very well also."
Does the win somehow temper the bitterness of the Stanley Cup quarterfinal loss last year?
"How could it? Last year we lost to Pittsburgh and we fell out of the playoffs. And they became the champions. We need to get past that history. Life goes on."
In the game tonight Nicklas Backstrom was even more brilliant than Crosby. Will the Swedish National Team be a force to be reckoned with in Vancouver?
"We'll just have to wait and see. Personally, for me it will be very interesting playing against Backstrom. It will be cool to find out who is the stronger one."
OVECHKIN: "I'M JUST A SOLDIER HERE"
Alexander Ovechkin, main hero of the game and NHL megastar, was led into another room for the press conference. The Washington captain spent a long time answering questions from the North American reporters, and then gave an interview to Sovetsky Sport.
The Washington victory was decisive. In what way was Washington stronger than Pittsburgh?
"The level of play was the same; the winner was the one who had more luck."
Once again you were pretty hard on Malkin...
"Everybody played hard against one another. Everybody played this game like it was the final match."
How did Sidney Crosby look to you? The Pittsburgh captain is on an upswing, and the interesting thing is that Sidney has more goals than you (33 vs. 32) but you have more assists (36 vs. 31). You've somehow switched roles.
"This is because Crosby has started to shoot more. And he's a high class player, one of the best in the league."
Yesterday Sovetsky Sport interviewed Team Canada GM Steve Yzerman who said "Russia is the clear favorite at the Olympics and they are stronger than the Canadians."
"I think he specifically said that so that we would relax."
In the game tonight you scored your 250th and 251st NHL goals.
"Really?"
You really don't keep up with your statistics?
"I knew that I was somewhere close, but I hadn't paid too much attention to it."
But this is a real accomplishment!
"Listen, I've made two thousand shots in my career. Look how many I missed! Although shouldn't ten percent of the shots make it to the net?"
Does Washington have a stronger roster than before?
"I won't say that we have a stronger roster, but we now have more experience. The team knows that just making it into the playoffs doesn't mean the season was a success."
Are you expecting that GM George McPhee will make some trades right at the deadline and add some strength to the Capitals?
"You need to ask him that. I'm just a soldier here. My job is to work with the guys that are here."
How can you say you're just a soldier when you go out on the ice wearing the "C"?
"Fine, I'm a corporal. It really doesn't make any difference."
MALKIN: "I WAS CRITICIZED FOR MY ACTIONS"
Your correspondent caught up with the 2009 NHL points leader in the Pittsburgh dressing room.
How did the conflict with Jose Theodore come about?
"I wasn't able to slow down, and I ran into the goaltender. Tom Poti started to shove me in the chest, so I had to answer him back- I didn't run into Theodore on purpose. But there wasn't a fight or any low blows. We backed off and went our separate ways."
Could your relationship with Ovechkin be summed up with the old phrase "we aren't friends on the ice, but in real life we could even go to a restaurant together"?
"Are you saying that we've had some run-ins? Somehow I never noticed that."
Is Ovechkin getting older?
"Either he has gotten weaker, or I've gotten more pumped up" - a mischievous grin appears on Malkin's face.
You scored three points, and had a hat trick in your last game. Do you feel like you are starting to recover?
"Yeah, it does. I've had a lot of criticism lately. I had to rethink my game, change some things with it."
But it isn't quite fair when the critics from the Pittsburgh press write that you aren't earning your salary. Without you, the Penguins wouldn't have won the Stanley Cup!
"When a guy doesn't score in 11 games straight, he absolutely will be criticized."
Why is it that Pittsburgh, with all the stars on their team, is in the next-to-last place in the league on power plays?
"Everyone is standing next to the boards, nobody is screening the goalkeeper. Well, we're working on our power play. We used to be really good at it, but it really isn't working. It's puzzling..."
American fans joke that you played so well last season because your parents came to Pittsburgh. Now you aren't getting enough of mama's borscht.
"Right now they're back home in Magnitogorsk, but they'll be coming with me to Vancouver, and then come to Pittsburgh after the Olympics. So then there will be borscht and a lot of goals."
Having finished up the interview, Malkin left the dressing room where he met up with the waiting Ovechkin and Semin. From the snatches of conversation it was clear that they were talking about the Olympics. After catching up with each other, the guys agreed to a photograph. Although Malkin was upset that his friends were in suits and he was wearing some goofy shorts.
Evgeni stood between the two Alexanders and surely made a wish. It isn't hard to guess what it was. And it will come true on February 28, the day of the Olympic finals.
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Silly Malkin
Is Ovechkin getting older?
“Somehow he’s gotten weaker. Or I could be mistaken” – a mischievous grin appears on Malkin’s face.
OK, so that made me giggle. Then I resumed my elation at the win, and my inherent hatred towards the Penguins.
by Danny Burrito on Jan 23, 2010 2:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
#needslessGenochikenlegs
But Sasha steals the show with that stylin’ toque and purple-on-purple shirt/tie combo.
IS KEPTIN NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Jan 23, 2010 2:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
it looks like one of Nicky’s hats that he brings back for everyone. Last year was red and white stripes, this year is apparently black.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Notice how when the Caps have a shootout, it is the healthy type.
by RedBirdie on Jan 23, 2010 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Semin with purple on purple. Is he gunning for the honor of the Delta Sigma Delta sorority sweetheart? Or the same honor for the Tri Delta sorority (Delta Delta Delta)?
(Once upon a time, when dinosaurs walked the earth, George Mason University had a local sorority called Delta Sigma Delta whose dominant color was purple. Every year they voted a guy as their sweetheart.)
The Delta Delta Delta sorority also is purple, as well.
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Jan 23, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hate the question of “does the win temper the loss from the playoffs.”
If any reporter actually thinks the answer is anything besides a resounding no, then they should be fired on the grounds of being too stupid for any job beyond telemarketing.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 23, 2010 5:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
What a goofy photo. Malkin sure looks gooney. He’s like your cool friend’s awkward/embarrassing brother
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 23, 2010 7:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Sasha, you really like purple, huh?
by katzistan on Jan 23, 2010 8:23 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Could that be the first line for Team Russia in Vancouver? (Hah! Hah! Geno dressed in black, wearing shorts.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Jan 23, 2010 8:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope not. I’d rather see Dats in between those two.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 23, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well I must admit I like Dats between the Alexanders as well.
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Jan 23, 2010 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ovi is a perfect example of what sets supremely talented, highly-paid athletes who meet or exceed their potential apart from supremely talented, highly-paid athletes who never quite live up to their potential. It’s all about attitude; it’s what’s in the head and the heart.
by kfjje on Jan 23, 2010 9:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I worry that if Russia wins the Olympics, the Alexanders will subconsciously feel that they have accomplished their goals for this year.
by Moonage Daydream on Jan 23, 2010 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i think the 1st line will be ovie-malkin-kovalchuk. Then again bucciegross thinks kovalchuk and semin are interchangeable.
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in junior my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley, 1/20/10
by bigity b on Jan 23, 2010 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mikael Tam news conference
At yesterday’s news conference, he said he is feeling very tired, but he is not in any pain. He read a statement expressing his thanks to family, friends, team mates, medical personnel and all those who have sent well wishes, and answered some questions.
The team president and team therapist emphasized that there is no time line for recovery from a concussion. They will still need to run more tests to diagnose the impact, but it’s good that he’s not in pain and not dizzy.
by miseenjeu on Jan 23, 2010 9:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This comment has nothing to do with the post it’s on. If you’d like to put it in this morning’s Clips post or start a FanShot, go for it, but we’re really trying to cut down on the off-topic stuff on substantive posts. Thanks!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 23, 2010 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cool interview and great translation, tuvan. With the Olympics on the horizion it seems like the Malkin/Ovechkin detente off the ice is in full force.
"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle
by Hooks Orpik on Jan 23, 2010 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the good read.
See, Pens and Caps can peacefully co-exist.
by Ulf Murphy on Jan 23, 2010 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
FWIW, thanks to some feedback I’ve made a slight correction to Malkin’s response about OV getting weaker, it’s actually even funnier now.
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Jan 23, 2010 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Definitely funnier now
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 23, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
spot-on and rec’d
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Jan 23, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Malkin
needs to choose his attire better.
Yikes.
by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 23, 2010 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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