Alexander Semin: "We Need to Get Through the First Round as Quickly as Possible"

by tuvanhillbilly on Apr 13, 2010 10:24 PM EDT in Translations

Your good buddy and mine Dmitry Chesnokov was able to snag a quick interview with Alexander Semin. Here is a translation of the article which will appear in tomorrow's edition of Sovetsky Sport

You made 84 (40+44) points in 73 games, reaching the 40 goal mark. How do you feel about that?

"I really wanted to make the 40^th goal. This is an achievement level that should be pursued. Plus, I made my 300^th career point."

Washington became the first team in the history of the NHL to have two Russian players make 40 goals in a season. You won the President's Trophy for being the best team in the regular season. Does the burden of responsibility weigh on you?

"Not at all. We go out on the ice and don't think about anything like that. The season ended and that's how it turned out. But it turned out surprisingly well. Right now I'm talking with you and then going to a restaurant for a team dinner. It's a sin to not pay attention to such things."

Will it be a big party?

"No, we'll just sit and eat and talk. The playoffs are starting already on Thursday."

What do you think of the Canadiens?

"They have a good goaltender. And playing in Montreal is cool. They are crazy about hockey. I like that... I know that we aren't going into any of these series overly confident. In the playoffs anyone can surprise you."

This will be aggressive, powerful hockey.

"On the contrary, I think the playoffs will start out with cautious hockey. Any mistake will be costly. But if someone decides to play against us from a position of power-we don't have anything to fear. Look how many big guys we have in Washington. If we were small it would be a different matter. And we also have experience. This is our third playoff. We'll be approaching these games with a little different attitude."

In the last two years your first rounds went all the way to seven games.

"It's best not to do that. We need to get through the first round as quickly as possible. We need win quickly to conserve strength. The playoffs are long, and your strength will run out at some point."

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I don’t like the headline quote (even if it’s true) but the rest is what I like to hear. Sasha has been revving it up the past couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing him healthy in the playoffs again.

by grapejoos on Apr 13, 2010 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Why do you not like the headline quote? I love in. Wrap it up in 4 or 5, not 7.

Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.

by Bman21212 on Apr 13, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

It just feels a little like bulletin board material or, worse, an ominous prophecy. But you’re probably right and I should take off the tin foil hat.

by grapejoos on Apr 13, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably the mindset of looking past the first team, would be my bet. In all honesty, I agree with Semin.

Whoop Whoop Caps

by Whiter Mage on Apr 13, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t worry – the Russians just like a bit of drama in their headlines.

Pavel Lysenkov’s last column in Sovetsky Sport was headlined “Ovechkin Lost Everything.”

by Orrlov on Apr 13, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Even his $10,000 cell phone? Damn.

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

did he lose that sweet car of his, too? That would be awful.

Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Donate to the Rink Pledge Drive for SAVES FOR KIDS! Ain’t nothing [crappy] about giving $5 so a stranger’s premature baby can have the time on a respirator they need.~Gould Old Days

by RedBirdie on Apr 13, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Lulz. They are such poets.

Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.

by EmilyB on Apr 13, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Sasha Semin has a little Mean Lars in him. Melikes.

Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.

by EmilyB on Apr 13, 2010 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

Well, let’s hope he hasn’t gotten any Mean Lars in him since Sunday.

by sixsevenfiftysix on Apr 13, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Great interview. He sounds totally focused and like he and they are not taking anything for granted. Perfect.

by Phil23 on Apr 13, 2010 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

Classic introvert. In another interview, they had asked Semin on what was his best playoff memory. He said he couldn’t think of any. But later did come up with some memories. May times, introverts need more time to think about the question before coming up with an answer.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 14, 2010 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Semin is a pretty cerebral guy when it comes down to it, despite the mistakes he sometimes makes on the ice.

by Kolzilla on Apr 13, 2010 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if those mistakes are because he’s such a cerebral guy? He maybe gets caught up in overthinking it? Just curious; know I won’t get an answer on that.

Blog: I Rock the Red
Twitter: @IRockTheRed
E-mail: irockthered {at} gmail {dot} com

by IRockTheRed on Apr 14, 2010 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

That would not surprise me in the least.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 14, 2010 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Responsible Sasha! Let’s hope he shows up on the ice.

You had me at no problem.

by Ninjak on Apr 13, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

I always enjoy the russian player speaking to russian reporter interviews because the players actually say something interesting. Thx for posting.

by CarlosLA on Apr 13, 2010 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

You really get a sense the team is very aware of it’s position. They know they have a lot to prove in the “real” season. They have been through the wars of three 7 game series. They understand the good and bad of that fact…the experience gained and the wear and tear sustained from it. They all know it’s time to raise their game to a different level…and that we are dealing from a position of power. No matter what we have or haven’t done in the playoffs the last 2 years, this team is a feared one. No one wants to see us. But they also know it’s time to back up that fear with some substance.

by Davethecapsfan on Apr 14, 2010 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

To win you have to first lose, right?

I love the hunger. Thanks for the translation! I really do love the interviews of the Russian guys speaking natively. they’re a lot more revealing.

by Vinn on Apr 14, 2010 6:11 AM EDT up reply actions

He know’s whats up…with the “anyone can suprise you”

I've often thought of becoming a golf club

by Amacaps on Apr 14, 2010 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Bulletin boards? Who cares if the Habs read this

Sasha can help get the Caps first round over with quickly if he avoids taking dumb penalties. Taking his 40 goal regular season to playoff level would be another way.

by Ovietracker on Apr 14, 2010 12:41 AM EDT reply actions

Sasha is certainly not the only person who’s expressed that sentiment. There’s been plenty of people among our fan base who’ve been expressing the exact same sentiment — Win Round 1 as fast as possible.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 14, 2010 6:29 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah because I personally don’t want to pay for 4 home games around!

"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"

by highslot84 on Apr 14, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions