“Russian Machine flex for the ladies.” (Photo credit: sportbox.ru)

On Sunday, Alex Ovechkin and the Russian National Team defeated Finland 3-1 to take the 2012 Channel One Cup. During the three-game tournament, Russia dominated, outscoring their opponents 14-2. Ovechkin, who mostly played on the team’s third line, had two points in three games — a goal and an assist. Team Sweden, who saw Nicklas Backstrom score three points and Marcus Johansson record his first national team goal and points, was the runner-up.

Below the jump, we have a few more photos from Russia’s post-game celebration.

Photos

Captain Ilya Nikulin and Vladislav Tretiak pose with the trophy. (Photo credit: championat.com)

Team pic! (Photo credit: sportbox.ru)

Photo credit: sportbox.ru

Congrats, Ovi!

Photo credit: championat.com

During the early afternoon in Moscow, the Russian National Team played their second game of the Channel One Cup, taking on the Czech Republic. And boy was it a beatdown.

Pavel Datsyuk had a hat trick and Alex Ovechkin followed up his goal Thursday with a sick assist on Sergei Mozyakin’s power play tally. Russia would cruise to victory, 6-0.

Now let’s see this helper!

Ovechkin’s assist begins at the 2:18 mark.

As the Capitals captain winds up to shoot, he instead quickly dishes to Mozyakin on the doorstep. Mozyakin then takes his time and rifles the puck past Winnipeg Jets goaltender, Ondřej Pavelec, top-shelf. Alex Radulov and Evgeny Malkin would also add goals in the win.

Russia will play their third and final game of the round-robin tournament tomorrow against Finland and it sure looks like they’re going to win the Channel One Cup. After humbling Sweden and the Czech Republic by a combined score of 11-1, they merely need to win against Finland to be champions.

So, hey, at least Ovi’s winning a cup in his free time.

Photos

Photo credit: championat.com

Photo credit: championat.com

No, Ovi! Stay on your feet! (Photo credit: sportbox.ru)

Photo credit: championat.com

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin.

Photo credit: Russian Hockey Federation

While the NHL announced next year’s Winter Classic between Detroit and Toronto, Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov participated in his own Outdoor Game Thursdsay, as Team Russia took on the Finnish National Team. Kuznetsov finished with a goal and an assist, his tally coming on a jaw-dropping 1-on-4 semi-breakaway that not only looked good, but closed out the game 2-0.

Soviet Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov caught up with Kuznetsov after the game to talk about his goal, though characteristically Kuznetsov was more interested in talking about the team’s victory than his own “super” effort. Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner translates their conversation.

Pavel Lysenkov: Describe your super-goal.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: How was it “super”? I just couldn’t figure out who to pass to. So I had to take everybody on by myself.

Pavel Lysenkov: Have you ever scored a prettier goal in your entire career?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It’s not how pretty a goal is, it’s how important it is.

Pavel Lysenkov: Why did you take your mask off during the game?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It wasn’t cold. At first only my hands and feet were getting cold. Then I warmed up. I got my breathing going during the morning skate.

Pavel Lysenkov: If the Swedes make an offer to play outdoors in Stockholm?..

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I like this. It’s very interesting. The only disappointment was the lack of large crowd. 25 thousand people? I thought there would be more.

Pavel Lysenkov: How was the ice quality?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not bad. Although quite hard. But I do not complain.

Pavel Lysenkov: What happened to the Finnish referee?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Oh, I did not see it. But I am scared of such moments.

Pavel Lysenkov: What did Bilyaletdinov say after the game?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: The coaches simply congratulated us. Nothing special. The main thing, we won.

Pavel Lysenkov: You beat the Finns for the third time in a row.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Oh yeah? I wasn’t counting myself, just found out from you. But it’s too early to celebrate. We should see a totally different Finland at the Worlds.

Pavel Lysenkov: Nevertheless, you did score a supergoal.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Oh come on. Just drop it.

Pavel Lysenkov: Does everybody who plays for Chebarkul Stars score goals like this? [Ed note: Chebarkul is a small factory town not far from Chelyabinsk; “Chebarkul Stars” was Kuzya's sarcastic answer when he recently had enough of “Where are you going to play next year” questions.]

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I am not big enough for that team yet [laughing].

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Kuznetsov lunges and scores! (Photo credit: YLE.fi)

In the first game of the Oddset Hockey Games tournament, the Russian National Team took on Finland outside at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium. Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was sporting a maroon hoodie to cope with the 1-degree temperature at puck drop (minus-5 wind chill), centered Russia’s first line. Kuznetsov proved to be Russia’s best player notching a goal and an assist in Russia’s 2-0 win.

In the first period, Kuznetsov brought the puck into the offensive zone. After battling several players along the boards, he managed to shovel the puck to Nikolai Zherdev who then attempted a wraparound. Finnish goalie Ari Ahonen was able to make the initial save, but Stanislav Chistov was first to the rebound and batted it home. 1-0 Russia.

In the third, the 19-year-old Kuznetsov maneuvered around four defending Finnish players and sprung himself on a semi-breakaway. After dekeing, a lunging Kuznetsov slid the puck past Ahonen.

After the game, Kuznetsov explained his decision-making on that play to Soviet-Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov. “I just didn’t know who to pass to, so I had to beat them all.” Fair enough.

On Saturday, Russia will play their second game of the tournament in Stockholm against the Swedes. Puck drop is at 9:30am. Photos and video are below.

Video of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Goal

Outdoor Game Photos

Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium

The public rink beside Olympic Stadium.

A view from Russia’s bench.

Above images via the Finland National Team’s website

Kuznetsov opted to wear a red hoodie under his jersey to stay warm.

Kuznetsov, who normally plays wing, takes a face-off and centers Russia’s first line.

During the game, one of the linesmen suffered a broken foot.

Here’s him being stretchered off.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Russia’s Captain, Ilya Nikulin, holds the Karjala Cup; Kuznetsov gets mugged in front of the net.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, the Russian National Team’s youngest player at 19, once again proved his mettle and how lucky-a**ed (Kuzya called himself that during last year’s WJC) he can be in clutch situations. With ten seconds left and Russia stuck in a 1-1 tie with the Czech Republic, Kuznetsov — currently leading the KHL in game-winners this season — potted his only goal of the tournament. Not only did the tally give Russia the win in their final tournament game, it also clinched them the 2011 Karjala Cup.

Video of his goal can be seen below the jump.

The footage above also includes the ceremony where Russia is awarded the Karjala Cup.

Despite only registering one point in the four tournament games, Kuznetsov also scored during a shootout attempt in Russia’s first game against Finland.

After today’s victory against the Czech Republich, Kuzya was interviewed by Sport-Express’ Andrey Kuznetsov. Below I have your translation.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I have a most enthusiastic impression of the tournament. I was able to score at the end, we won the tournament, and I liked working with the coaching staff. If they’ll call me up to the next EuroHockeyTour stage in Moscow, I’ll come happily. But I don’t know if I’ll get the invitation. The National team starts preparation for the Channel One Cup at the same time as our junior team starts preparation for the World Championships.

Andrey Kuznetsov: Did [Head Coach Zinetula] Bilyaletdinov teach you a lot?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes, but I don’t want to disclose all his secrets. I will only say that all the wise coaches, like Zinetula Khaydarovich [Bilyaletdinov], like Valery Konstantinovich Belousov, keep saying how important it is to play well on defense. And that’s what we saw in Helsinki. I think we won the Karjala Cup first of all because we allowed such few goals.

Andrey Kuznetsov: In Finland, you had to play on the fourth line. Was this a problem?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: No, because everybody had almost the same amount of ice time.

Andrey Kuznetsov: But with Tarasenko on your line that was created during the game against the Czechs, you clearly felt more comfortable.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: We’re not at the age when we can tell the coach what would be the best combinations on the ice [smiling]. That’s under the coaching staff’s jurisdiction.

Andrey Kuznetsov: What did the head coach say in the locker room after your third win of the Karjala Cup?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: He thanked us all and said that we made him very proud. He also asked us to work and train even harder and do notable things when we return home. We applauded him.

Andrey Kuznetsov: Which one of the Czechs surprised you most during the game?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Petr Nedved. He’s so-many-years-old and still was able to score the key goals. He not only scored against us, he also scored twice against Sweden.

Andrey Kuznetsov: Do you expect to play until 39 like him?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I’m going to be a hockey player even longer [smiling].

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Kuzya multi-tasks while talking to the media Tuesday.

The KHL is currently taking the week off so that the Russian National Team can participate in the upcoming Karjala Cup, an annual tournament held in Finland where the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and Russia all face off against one another. 19-year-old Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov was invited to play on the National Team and joined his teammates in Novogorsk, Moscow Region to prepare for their first game Thursday.

Despite the fact that the team is filled with stars such as Alexander Radulov and Vladmir Tarasenko, Kuznetsov — who was working out at the time — was mobbed by journalists during his media availability. In interviews to both Sovetsky Sport and Sport-Express, the gifted and versatile forward discussed his NHL plans, gossiped about the latest KHL news, and mused on what it will be like to play center again during the four day tourney.

Below the jump, check out my translation of the interview.

Question: Did you see what happened in Minsk with former Traktor coach Andrei Nazarov on Sunday?

Answer: Not yet, but I heard about it. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I think this story is overblown.

Q: You don’t see a coach going at the stands with a stick much…

A: The fans should blame themselves. They need to be respectful and not throw bottles at players on the ice. It was not pretty. And I understand Andrey Viktorovich. He’s an emotional person. You don’t need to blame it all on the coach because we are people. Everybody loses their temper sometimes.

Q: What do you think about the policy of the coaching staff directed to make the national team younger?

A: I’m all for it, because I’m the youngest [laughing]. Of course, I want to see more young players on the team.

Q: Did you hear that they wanted to try you at the center position [during the tournament]?

A: For me it’s more interesting and even more comfortable to play at center.

Q: But you’ll have to play more defense!

A: And that’s what I like!

Q: You’re the youngest player on the team. You’ll most likely have to pick up pucks after the training session…

A: That’s not a problem. The veterans here don’t push the youngsters around. We’re not living in the 80′s.

Q: Do you follow the Capitals, the team who drafted you?

A: I have a routine I follow so I can’t stay up late. But I do look up the score and see who scored goals.

Q: When are you going to leave Russia for the NHL?

A: I’ve made a decision. I know where and how I will spend the next few years of my hockey career. But I won’t talk about my plan. It would be uninteresting if I did so.

Q: Have you spoken with Dmitry Orlov who plays with the Capitals’ affiliate in Hershey?

A: Yes, we’ve talked over Skype a few times. He says that “things are okay over here”. It’s much more difficult to make it to the NHL for defensemen. There are a lot of players on one-way deals.

Q: Team Russia plays the Finns on Thursday. Mikael Granlund, who scored an interesting goal against the Russian National Team during last year’s World Championships, plays there.

A: I could make a joke about that, but I’m not of an age where you can say whatever you want to the media anymore. I will only say that I have a bet with [Traktor forward Petteri] Kontiola – the one who loses pays for dinner.

We need to beat Finns and Swedes right away. They need to know who the Russians are. We need to beat them with any players on their roster. Because if we lose once or twice, we’ll have a complex. That’s psychology!

Q: Everyone was surprised by Traktor’s great start…

A: I was surprised as well [laughing]. The key is that we are good on defense. It has helped the result so far.

Q: What are your thoughts on the World Junior Championship in Calgary?

A: I need to make the team first.

Q: WJC Head Coach Valery Bragin said you’re the only one who has a guaranteed spot on the team.

A: What if I play bad? Nobody has a guaranteed spot.

Q: Many people say that Russia hasn’t had such a strong roster as this in quite a long time.

A: Players who play in the Canadian junior leagues need to show something in the KHL first. Everybody talks about them as the top players for the next draft. I don’t want to offend the guys but I don’t think the level of hockey there is higher than in the MHL. I was offered a chance to go to the CHL myself. Many thanks to my Russian agent Valery Guschin who talked me out of taking that step. I’m just happy I didn’t go there. What would I do there? Clean windows in McDonald’s? I can do it here as well [laughing].

Russia will face Finland on Thursday, Sweden on Saturday and the Czech Republic on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

A full week after his first appearance on Russian radio this summer, Alex Ovechkin made his second appearance on the radio station Mayak, Saturday.  Ovi spoke with Regina Sevostyanova and their conversation covered a variety of topics including Russia’s failure at the Vancouver Olympics, how the Russian National Team should respond in Sochi, and the dreaded smoking scandal.

Below the fold, we translated the Sports.ru article which did a transcription of the interview.

Alex Ovechkin: “I don’t think our World Championship team was better than the one in the Olympics. But even if one version of the team was better than another, it doesn’t mean the first will win. Coincidence, they scored, we didn’t. Everyone wants to win. No, the result of the Olympics and World Championships aren’t haunting my dreams. I try to forget such moments.”

“I reacted positively to the contract extensions of [Russian coaches] Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharkin. If we’re looking towards Sochi, we need to do some preparation and we need to think about what we should do and how. What we need to take from the [gold medal-winning] Canadians is this: After the Torino Olympics ended, they began scouting the players they would face in Vancouver. And it worked. We must look to the best. The match with the Canadians, of course, is the most fundamental. It’s like dessert after a good dinner.” [Ed Note: Russian sayings are the best..]

“The National Team has a backbone, which is created by the coaches. Those guys are the leaders, the players team always need. Sometimes coaches choose players who are less talented, but can create a hard-working atmosphere. We need them, too. Every player on the team, including the coaches, completely trust and understand each other.”

“In regards to the story about smoking during the World Championships, I can say that everybody has their own life and does what they feel they should do. In America, for example, you can drink and smoke — you just have to provide the result. We didn’t get the job done in Germany, we were only second. But if you saw how hard we fought, you can’t say we lost due to that story. It’s ravings. People who publish this kind of stuff, don’t care for the Russian Team. They are traitors in my opinion.”

TJ of Alex Ovetjkin also found some more interesting Ovechkin quotes from the same show. In his translation Ovi talks about if he has a Facebook, which famous people he’d like to meet, and if he would ever run for public office. Check it out.

Thanks to our friend Dmitry, we have some leftover photos from the World Championships of Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Semyon Varlamov via the tricky Russian Internets. Most of these pictures are from a happier time: either practice or at an instance when wearing ripped jeans was absolutely necessary. Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Oops! How did that one get in there!!

Alex Semin cries after receiving his silver medal.

Today, Russia’s 27 game World Championships winning streak came to a devastating end in a post-olympic rematch against Jaromir Jagr’s Czech Republic team. And much like the match in the Olympics earlier in the year, the pivotal play of today’s World Championships gold medal game was a huge Alex Ovechkin hit. But this time, it was the Russian Machine accidentally laying out and injuring one of his own teammates, Sergei Fedorov (above), which led to Tomas Rolinek’s game winning goal in the second period. Riding stellar goaltending from Tomas Vokoun and an incredible team defense, the Czechs took a 2 goal lead into the third period that they would never relinquish. Our beloved Ruskies fall to the Czech Republic 2-1. Silver has never tasted so bitter.

Like one would expect, the Russians came out and played with fire. But much like the Canadiens/Capitals series, most of Russia’s chances came from the perimeter. And the Czechs waited and pounced on any mistakes Russia made. A sense of real urgency only revealed itself towards the end of the third period. And by then it was too late for Russia.

You can't blame Varly. Semyon Varlamov had 23 saves in today's loss.

Our own Fedor Fedin blames the coaching of Vyacheslav “Slava” Bykov and Igor Zakharkin for not realizing the potential of such a star-filled Russian roster. People in Russia may blame the superstars on Russia’s roster like Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeni Malkin, but if you watched today’s game, it’s clear the system and coaching is not where it should be. Fedor believes strongly that former Red Wings player Igor Larionov should be named the new coach of the National Team. Make it happen, Russia. The clock’s ticking.

Moving forward, we extend our congratulations to Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Semyon Varlamov for winning silver and playing pretty incredibly considering their extremely difficult schedule this year. Playing in a 82 NHL Regular Season, the Olympics, the NHL Playoffs and the World Championships must have taken a huge toll on their bodies and we hope they take the next few weeks to relax and put this year behind them.

Below are a few screen captures from today’s game. Common theme: devastation.

The Brooks Laich Bodycheck on Alex Ovechkin That Started a Brawl

Sergei Fedorov’s Second Career Fight Against Steve Downie

God, I hate Downie.