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Russia’s Team Aimed at Prevailing at the Next Level of 2008 World Ice Hockey Championships
The team of Russia that topped the Group D at the end of the opening level of the world ice hockey championships is targeted at maintaining the leadership at the second level, said the team’s chief coach Vyacheslav Bykov after Russia predictably defeated Denmark (4-1) on Tuesday.
“We are glad to be at the first place and do our utmost to keep it after the next level,” Bykov told the reporters after the game. “We realize that we aren’t for an easy match with the Swedes who have a score more but who have the Czech as a very serious rival.”
Asked whether he was pleased with the goal efficiency of Ilya Kovalchuk, who has had more playing time than any other forward but scored no goal yet, Bykov replied that “he was pleased that they won today.” “He [Kovalchuk] creates goal situations, enter the striking position. He has had no luck so far, but I think he will break through.” “I don’t think today is the time for the rapid-fire evaluation of any player. All matches that are more or less vital are still ahead,” the coach specified.
When commenting on the victorious game, Bykov said: “We had tried to study the opponent, taken the match very seriously by requesting the guys to be extremely disciplined, especially in defense, what they did actually. We had very many moments, but either the throws weren’t accurate or the goalie of Denmark played well. We are generally pleased with the results.”
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