Growing up, wasn't Siberia supposed to be the place where Russian hockey players who didnt perform well were sent, never to be heard from again? On the eve of game three of the Canada Russia Super Series, this Russian bunch won't have far to go if that is still the case.
First off I am in Omsk, in the region of Siberia. The temperature is in the mid 30's and it is some kind of hot. It is a neat city of just over a million people that, like Ufa, seems to be experiencing a growth spurt. Lots of new buildings and construction can be found here, including the brand new Omsk Arena. Friday's Game 3 will christen the building. It is a terrific structure featuring 10,000 seats. The good news while it is far from finished it is in much better shape than the arena in Ufa where Games 1 and 2 were staged.
The Russians trail 2-0 after what I refer to as a Canadian clinic in Game 2. Brent Sutter's squad taught their opponents a lesson in how to be disciplined in all three zones, and their ability to take away time and space was terrific.
The Russian's lot in this series won't get any easier without their most explosive offensive player. New York Rangers' first round pick Alexei Cherepanov is out for the remainder of the series as a result of a concussion he suffered on Wednesday in a collision with Brandon Sutter.
Cherepanov was not very effective in either game, and frankly in watching him both in practise and in games looked disinterested.
The biggest difference in this set so far? Behind the bench. Sergei Nemchinov is inexperienced and Brent Sutter and his fine staff of Peter Deboer and Benoit Groulx are taking the long time NHLer to school.
The Russian's have looked disorganized, and unmotivated. This squad the Canadian's are facing is talented, but at this point do not have an answer for our youngsters physical style, and have yet to adjust.
However in this rivalry never count either team out, because the minute you do look out. This may only be Game 3 of 8, but for the Russian's this is more like Game 7 if you know what I mean.
I agree, the biggest difference is coaching and Canada's collective desire to win, versus Russia's collective desire to play games through the media and to withdraw from physical play.
Russia played much better today, but they lack finish. It didn't help that they kept trying to shoot through Canadian defensemen on the power play. You would think they'd learn after the first few shot blocks.
Today's game was entertaining, but in the end the Russians just gave up. Figures.
Same ol' song and dance...
At the JR. Level, the Ruskies can't handle our physical play...especially in a 8 game series...
Russian leagues don't emphasize phyiscal play all the time...more skill based...so when they face us and we hit, hit , hit...they get worn out easily....and deflated mentally.
In the CHL challenge series...the Russians never did well either...
No surprise here at all.
DA DA CANADA
NYET NYET SOVIET!!!!
Watch for the Russians to nail us on the PP in game 4....they invented trickery/systems in hockey (Tarasov)
You can't keep the Big Red Machine silent forever...
but.. it is Canada's series for sure.
Game 4 will be very close and exciting, we keep on the bodies and we will be ok.. but hockey is a funny sport, any team can win at anytime...ah the beauty of our favorite game!!
Cheers
Something else u wont see in Siberia...flames players...Oh wait Calgary is the Siberia of the N.H.L we r talking about Russia here...they cant wait to get out of flamerville...hahaha
This superseries is turning out to be a disaster. Peter is right, the Russians look disinterested and Canada is pounding them, and the games are boring... Is anybody still watching this?
Man as a pure hockey fan...this has to be a HUGE embarrasment to Russian hockey and their fans..
Tretiak will have to make some big changes, and this beating is what Russia might need to get back to the top in hockey.
It's quite sad to watch almost...I was actually hoping the Ruskies would score a couple and make it closer....
seems the only time they try...is when they get down a goal...or 2, or 3...
Go Canada Go..
but C'mon Russia, step it up!
Tretiak is spinning right now...
Canada is now....
THE BIG RED MACHINE.
Man put a sock in MCguries mouth!!!
maybe he could coach, but he yells at viewers like players..
ease off the coffee there Pierre!!
HaHa
hey Peter!!
Pierre was much better in game 7...did you mention my blog? lol
you are a great announcer..
glad Pierre kept to between plays as he is excellent at analyitical aspects of hockey being a former coach.
game 8 will be awesome.
Cheers.