Torpedo striker Vasily Atanasov scored three goals against Dynamo Moscow and became the youngest hat-trick scorer in the history of Nizhny Novgorod (21 years and 12 days).
The previous feat belonged to Ivan Chekhovitch, who scored a hat-trick at the age of 22 years and 304 days.
By the way, for the Torpedo players, Atanasov’s hat-trick became the 16th in the history of the KHL.
“I don’t know what will happen to the caps – they didn’t give them to me”
— An incredible match, Vasily! How did you manage to earn so much?
“We got off to a good start, we started in the first shifts.” We did well in attack, we converted our chances. And they didn’t deviate from their game throughout the three periods. We have given the result we can give.
– Describe each of your heads. Somewhere lucky?
“I don’t even know luck.” The first goal was passed by Lesha Kruchinin at the far post. And it turns out that the puck went into a foreign player’s goal. The second goal – Seryozha Goncharuk passed me a nickel, and there the second touch was a throw between the goalkeeper’s legs. I don’t know where the luck was… The third goal was a lucky bounce, and I didn’t even have time to react. Mechanically, the hands made a movement and the puck was thrown into the goal.
—Did you expect caps to be thrown at you on the ice in Moscow? This is not Nizhny Novgorod.
“I was surprised on the bench that sometimes our supporters could be heard better than the Muscovites. Thank you to all the hockey fans for your support, it’s very nice. We appreciate and appreciate that.
— But the caps cost 2,000 rubles. It’s not a cheap pleasure to take it and throw it away. What do they do with them in the KHL?
— I don’t know what will happen to the caps. They were not given to me.
— In a parallel match, Severstal beat Sochi with a score of 10:1. The Cherepovets club is headed by Andrey Kozyrev, who worked at the Torpedo headquarters last season. What does that mean?
“They preach the same hockey as us.” They do it well. Why not? We don’t focus on any of our opponents, but look at ourselves and our game.
— In the last playoffs, Torpedo beat Dynamo in the first round (4-2 in the series). Is this an opponent that suits you?
– I don’t know, we don’t divide our opponents into ranks, it’s suitable or not… We just go out and show hockey that we know how to play.
— Was there anything unusual at Torpedo before this match?
– No, no, I was listening as usual, as for any match.
— Did you keep anything as a souvenir of the hat-trick?
– Yes, a puck.
— Can you imagine that you are fighting for the title of top scorer in the KHL? You scored 17 (10+7) points in 15 matches.
– Yes? I do not even know. I did not count…
— You are in fourth place and the first is Nikolai Goldobin (11+10=21).
– Why not? I will try to become the top scorer.
—A few weeks ago, a scout from Nashville showed interest in you. Since then, have new NHL clubs appeared on your horizon?
– Not yet, he was the only one.
“We catch up with our opponents on the far bench”
Vasily Atanasov also answered journalists’ questions about the banner.
— Didn’t anyone give you pineapple today?
—Not yet, but I think they might give it this evening.
—Did you expect so many selections?
“I didn’t even expect a hat-trick!” And when I did and they flew, I thought, “Wow, there are so many!” “Enough enough!”
— Do you always try to spend as much time in the second half at the Torpedo, or did it happen like this?
— The second periods are a time when everyone is on the furthest bench, and where you can prevent your opponent from changing, catching up with him through fatigue. We try to do it.
– Why did you slow down in the third period?
“We paid more attention to defense to prevent the opponent from getting back into the game. We were waiting for opportunities in attack, and they came. The puck just wasn’t going in anymore.
— Can you say that Torpedo played the best match?
— Today’s second period was probably the best this season. As for the game, I don’t even know.
—Did you expect Dynamo to start fighting? After all, your nerves aren’t made of iron when you’re driven like that. Were you afraid?
– No, we weren’t afraid. But they were focused as much as possible, expecting a power struggle at any moment and were ready to take a few hits.
Watch KHL matches on the channels of the Match holding company, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
