artilector
10-09-2007, 09:36 AM
(translated from Sport-Express interview after the Carolina game, http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?147545)
Kozlov interview
K: So far the special thing is that the team has a winning attitude. The Carolina game was an important match, and you could feel the desire to win in every player.
SE: Did you not get a little shot of anger when in Atlanta your team was kept in the locker room while they raised their banner?
K: Well, it was a ceremony, they deserved it. As for our team, it was just starving for victories, and came out with passion. Guys dialed in and worked their tails off, like one is supposed to. But as you yourself understand, two games is nothing.
SE: Sure, but do you yourself feel that this team is capable of doing great things this season?
K: Based on two games? It’s a bit too early for that.
SE: Do you already have an almost telepathic link with Ovechkin?
K: No, there are still things to work on. We'll play more together, and we'll get a lot more comfortable.
SE: Has he been impressive in the first few games?
K: Alexander? Yeah he always impresses. So strong.. An awesome player! Its easy to see that he is an acknowledged team leader. Guys look to him, and he is trying to show them that its not in vain.
SE: How is it for you, as a veteran, to be playing with such young linemates? Do you have to show them the ropes much?
K: Hell/Oh no! Just send in the puck, and they are already gunning for it, stomping everybody, deking, scoring. I am all for it! And in general this team has spunk, young, with a great attitude. One just needs to understand that the season is a marathon, not a sprint, and success in two games means absolutely nothing.
Ovechkin interview
SE: Tell me about your partnership with Kozlov?
O: Everything is great, and getting better with every game. I don't want to jinx it, but I am very pleased. We're talking a lot, both during practice and games, constantly discussing what's the best play in different situations. I'm just extremely lucky that now Vitja is here. Take our goal in the 1st period. I was going to charge into the zone, but then I saw that the D-men pulled back in a line, and there was nobody behind Kozlov. So I lined up behind "the choo choo train", yelled "Vitjka!", and he immediately left it for me.
SE: The level at which Washington is playing right now - is it that of a playoff team?
O: Its better not to think about it right now, and to just go out and continue to play the same way. From here to playoffs is like on foot to China.
Kozlov interview
K: So far the special thing is that the team has a winning attitude. The Carolina game was an important match, and you could feel the desire to win in every player.
SE: Did you not get a little shot of anger when in Atlanta your team was kept in the locker room while they raised their banner?
K: Well, it was a ceremony, they deserved it. As for our team, it was just starving for victories, and came out with passion. Guys dialed in and worked their tails off, like one is supposed to. But as you yourself understand, two games is nothing.
SE: Sure, but do you yourself feel that this team is capable of doing great things this season?
K: Based on two games? It’s a bit too early for that.
SE: Do you already have an almost telepathic link with Ovechkin?
K: No, there are still things to work on. We'll play more together, and we'll get a lot more comfortable.
SE: Has he been impressive in the first few games?
K: Alexander? Yeah he always impresses. So strong.. An awesome player! Its easy to see that he is an acknowledged team leader. Guys look to him, and he is trying to show them that its not in vain.
SE: How is it for you, as a veteran, to be playing with such young linemates? Do you have to show them the ropes much?
K: Hell/Oh no! Just send in the puck, and they are already gunning for it, stomping everybody, deking, scoring. I am all for it! And in general this team has spunk, young, with a great attitude. One just needs to understand that the season is a marathon, not a sprint, and success in two games means absolutely nothing.
Ovechkin interview
SE: Tell me about your partnership with Kozlov?
O: Everything is great, and getting better with every game. I don't want to jinx it, but I am very pleased. We're talking a lot, both during practice and games, constantly discussing what's the best play in different situations. I'm just extremely lucky that now Vitja is here. Take our goal in the 1st period. I was going to charge into the zone, but then I saw that the D-men pulled back in a line, and there was nobody behind Kozlov. So I lined up behind "the choo choo train", yelled "Vitjka!", and he immediately left it for me.
SE: The level at which Washington is playing right now - is it that of a playoff team?
O: Its better not to think about it right now, and to just go out and continue to play the same way. From here to playoffs is like on foot to China.