Semyon Varlamov: "No Time for Whining"
by tuvanhillbilly on Mar 14, 2010 7:31 PM EDT
in Translations
32 comments
The frustration Caps fans feel with Semyon Varlamov's play is also felt by the young netminder himself, as revealed in this recent interview with Slava Malamud and Sport Express.
***
You can't call it second season syndrome, because this is actually Semyon Varlamov's first. Last season he only played a few games, and now he is officially considered a rookie. He could be a candidate for the Calder Cup. But that's rather difficult to believe.
First, it's hard to believe because following the rookie's heroic performance a year ago during the Stanley Cup playoffs, Varlamov basically disappeared. Although you couldn't ask for a better debut than to make an unimaginable save against Crosby in the playoffs (followed by a rout in the deciding match by that very same Crosby). Second, it's hard to believe because Semyon's season, which started out so brilliantly, turned into a nightmare. Injury. Another injury. An unsuccessful return before the Olympics. Sitting in the press box in Vancouver. And, finally, two collapses in the post-Olympic period.
In the game against Tampa, Varlamov allowed two goals in the third period, which nearly cost Washington the victory. One of the goals was scored by Vincent Lecavalier, catching the young goalkeeper with a fake shot.
"I really bought it" observed Varlamov, and a quite accurate observation at that. This was one of those moments when a veteran forward teaches a young goalkeeper a useful but painful lesson in craftsmanship.
Against Dallas, everything was going good for Varlamov-again, until the third period. Then, his net was torn into thrice in the first eight minutes, with the last goal entirely the fault of the goaltender. Just like in the first matches of the season, Semyon showed up for the first forty minutes. This, coupled with the robust playing of his colleague Jose Theodore, has so far kept the Russian firmly nailed to the bench.
"I agree, something is not right yet." Said Varlamov in an interview with Sport express. "I don't know what's the matter."
In the game against Dallas, the first two periods of the game were almost entirely in the offensive zone. Maybe you just froze up a little bit?
"No, the lack of shots on goal is no excuse. We were winning this game in every way, we outplayed them. But thanks to the "excellent" play of Washington's goalkeeper, they tied up the score and won."
You are always self-critical, but there is no way the first two goals were your fault.
"So what if I didn't see the puck. The shots were from the blue line. Goals are goals, and you really can't justify letting in two in a row on two shots."
So there's a little rust? You've been idle since December, and you sat in the press box at the Olympics.
"Of course it's difficult, since after all it's been three months. But again that's no excuse. I've had enough practice that I should be in normal shape."
So what is happening? Is it the usual goalkeeper thing, something mental?
"There are some events which are difficult to explain. It's good that the team is playing well and can make up for my mistakes. Going forward, of course, I have to play more reliably. Our team is a contender for the Stanley Cup, and I don't have the right to betray them."
The Olympics didn't knock you off your game mentally or physically?
"Me? No. Now if I was in Evgeni Nabokov's place of course it would have affected me much harder and for a longer period of time. But we're all professionals, and our job is to not whine but to analyze our mistakes and move forward."
Looking at it from the sidelines, did you notice anything that the team was lacking in the game against Canada?
"We couldn't get things going at the beginning. We had to survive the first ten minutes, and we couldn't. Why? You don't need to ask me that. The guys themselves know, and who am I to answer a question like that? I was basically an observer."
In the remaining games you have to beat Theodore for the first place spot as goaltender in the playoffs. Do you feel the pressure?
"No, there is no pressure whatsoever. I have to find my game and work on my mistakes."
This isn't one of those cases where a young goaltender is figured out in his second season?
"No, these are all my mistakes. The third goal against Dallas was really stupid and fully my fault. I don't even know how it happened. Sometimes you have enough time to sit down when you take a shot from one meter, but that time the shot was from five meters and I wasn't able to get down! How can you explain it? And then there was another chance for redemption in the shootout where I could pull one out for the team. And again I couldn't make use of the opportunity. It was a real shame."
So what do you have to do now to find, as you say, "your game"?
"First, I have to understand that nothing catastrophic has happened. Yes, I made a mistake and I admit my mistakes. But I have to quickly get over these and work, work, work. This is the only way I can return to the number one goaltender spot."
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Here’s hoping he finds plenty of time for winning.
Remember- always dispose of mice responsibly.
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
He seems to have an excellent personality regarding all of this. Lets just hope he can put it into practice.
I also like the little shot at Nabokov.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 14, 2010 8:48 PM EDT reply actions
If I remember correctly, Varly was injured last year, as well. He missed a bunch of time from Jan through March which is why Neuvy was called up then. When Varly had recovered, Neuvy was sent back down. (Yes, that was in March.) And then Varly started relatively sparingly when up.
Meanwhile, down on the farm, Neuvy is struggling as well. He was injured in the game in Montreal, missed the entire Olympic break with the injury, and has struggled, as of late.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I still believe Neuvirth is better than Varlamov, and – oddly enough – Holtby, for the Caps’ system – may well be better than both of them.
I need a snappy signature...
Holtby might well be better than both of them in the long run. He combines many of their best qualities. And he has endurance and can do back to back games.
Neuvy is very good when hot but it seems like he’s having issues now since he’s also trying to recover from an injury. (He’s not ready for prime time, yet, either.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Don’t forget, both of them have SOOOO many years infront of them.
I definitely think we should try to keep Varly and Neuvy.
Hopefully Varly gets over the injury bug soon, so we can get most consistent minutes, and highten his game.
I think Neuvy is going to be a very, very good goalie in the near future, he just needs to develop a bit more.
Holtby is on the right track, he is going to be, just like Varly and Neuvy, another amazing goaltender
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Nice tuvan…well done.
Glad he’s being realistic, but the kid really needs some confidence and soon.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 14, 2010 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
Finally coming out of the shadows
I didn’t know there were other Russians here (ya zdes’ novinkie). Varly sounds down but I’m comforted by the fact that he appears to be analyzing his play critically and trying to derive lessons from his mistakes. I’m pretty sure he’ll be his old self in a few games, it will probably take one really good game for him to get it rolling and there is plenty of time before the playoffs for that.
I’ve been lurking in the background for a while and you guys are awesome. Could not believe the quality of discussion and analysis on here for the first few months of reading. A couple of commenters especially stand out along with all the folks running this blog. And yes B.P. just for you I come strapped with an avatar (hated the movie). One of these days I’m going to have to take a trip to D.C. to go to a home game, I’ve been to every Caps game in Montreal (and Buffalo before that) the past couple of years but it’s just not the same. Hoping to take the trip after finals and maybe go to a playoff game (is it as crazy expensive as I think it’s going to be??).
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Welcome! And nice scarf…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 15, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
hahah the scarf and the headband were a joke and thanks. Feels good to finally try to contribute, its been a long time coming. I showed this blog to my uncle who’s back in Russia and I’m impressed with how impressed he is with it, this is a guy that’s kept a journal (to make notes of what plays he liked/disliked) since 5 years old of every hockey game he watches. Me being blown away is one thing, I’ve only being a serious fan for about 5/6 years but him is another story. Great community you guys have over here.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I definitely agree, the fact that he knows the path he must take to be better, is comforting. However, I think the means to get on that path is a bit more than having one stellar game. That would most definitely help; however, I think the best thing for him will be consitent starts. Once he gets over his injury bug, he’ll get more starts, with more starts, he will be more confident (no more looking behind himself on every shot), and will return to form. You can tell he really wants to be there for the team, which is good. Plus, he has a long career ahead of him, hopefully that career is hear in Washington.
I am traveling back East, from the West Coast, to catch a few play-off games, I tink the seats in the upper bowl are resonable. Tickets down low can get pretty damn expensive for multiple games
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
for sure, with the exception of some odd goals here and there (like Dallas’ third) he’s been slowly and steadily improving, which is exactly what i was hoping to see. Also love this guy’s attitude, especially for his young age (I’m a couple of months older than him, which is crazy when I think about it). You can tell how seriously he takes his role on this team (especially loved the “I don’t have the right to betray them” quote, so Russian in its wording and nature). Speaks volumes about him.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Welcome! You should definitely try to make it down to DC for a game at the Verizon Center.
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Mar 15, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I should have asked my father who knows russian if it was correct. I used to live in Moscow and am trying to re-learn russian.
Только игра! Почему надо быть сумасшедшим?
Me too, I moved when I was a kid tho (12). It’s really time consuming to try and read and write these days but speaking still comes naturally. As to the re-learning just speak it every chance you get, it will come pretty quick.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
cool cool I was there from 1988-2000, do you still have relatives back there (hockey fans in particular)?? It was real interesting talking about the Olympics and the Caps in general with my grandpa and uncle who are both huge hockey fans, gives you a different perspective.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 1:04 AM EDT reply actions
Welcome whats fehr is fehr!
I know exactly :: zero :: russian, but keeping up with our Russian players has got me very interested. I know most of the letters, and can sound out the words slowly, and use googletranslate to guess at their meaning. Lots of times when Slava or Chesnokov or Tuvan translates an interesting phrase, I will go to the source to see it in the original.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
hey, let me know if you want something (short) translated, takes me a bit long but at least it’s better than googletranslate, i get some weird translations from there sometimes (especially from the Swedish publications). I’m trying to improve my Russian reading because it seems all the best and most insightful interviews the Caps give are to the Russian papers.
I also find it pretty sad that the “cool” thing to do in Russia lately (regarding hockey and football) is to gloat when your own country has a poor showing on a grand stage because the new generation doesn’t agree with the politics of the country. And as I’m sure you know sports and government/politics in Russia have always been closely intertwined. It’s been annoying my uncle like crazy, who’s in Moscow, when other Russian hockey “fans” throw out lines like this – “What else did you expect?” or “You really thought they could contend with Canada for even ten minutes?”. Just crazy.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 3:35 AM EDT up reply actions
btw great work you do on your blog. That “Ovechkin rocks Richards” animated gif hypnotizes me for at least 5 minutes every time i log on, just priceless.
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 3:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks! I’m not the owner of “Alex Ovetjkin” – the blog belongs to a man we all only know as TJ. I’m more of a contributing editor and you’d know me there as “Field Reporter Emily.”
I enjoy the work of archiving Ovi’s remarkable career. Maybe a little less on nights like these, but it’s all part of the tapestry – and as the Brits would say, “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I hear you on tonight, I can just imagine the shitstorm but thankfully we got that idiot downie deflecting attention to himself with his disgusting bullshit. I’ve always known this but just got re-assured today again that 99.9% of people posting online are not too bright, which makes this place even more refreshing.
The hit itself, I felt, was not bad at all, just more awkward than anything. Really unfortunate that Soupy is out for the year (i hear) but what can you do. This isn’t a situation that Ovi needs to learn a lesson from, just maybe be a bit more aware of players in vulnerable situations but in general keep doing what you do.
Scary to think of Ovi even getting a tiny bit better (which is likely what’s going to happen). Numero uno by far in my books!!
by whats fehr is fehr on Mar 15, 2010 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice translation, Tuvan. Keep em coming.
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Mar 15, 2010 8:36 AM EDT reply actions
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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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