— What emotions do the Spartak game and results evoke?
– The current Spartak makes me happy. Let’s start with the fact that the club made the selection carefully and thoughtfully. The newcomers were invited point by position, and they managed to form a very interesting trio Goldobin – Morozov – Poryadin. “Spartak” today plays with its “face”, shows an interesting, high-quality game and so far the team is satisfied.
– Selection has been a sensitive subject in recent years…
— Yes, additional funds appeared and were spent correctly. It is not for nothing that the three forwards of the first line are now leaders of the championship in terms of points, and Spartak itself leads the Western Conference. After a third of the regular season, that says a lot.
Spartak works well in unequal formations, the first five have a very strong majority. The rest of the hockey players followed the leaders, it is clear that the microclimate in the team is good.
— Until now, the leaders of Spartak regularly go to the ice. But will the technical staff be able to replace them in the event of injuries to leading hockey players?
— Coaches will surely try new combinations before the decisive matches of the season. Playoff games are different from the regular season, everyone knows that very well, and it won’t be easy for anyone at this point. The most important thing is that Spartak is growing, it is clear that in the last matches the team has worked together, found its passion and the players love hockey. I didn’t see a single bitter face in the team, quite the contrary, only positive ones.
***
— The older generation of fans compares this Spartak to the one that won the USSR championships. Is this appropriate?
“I wouldn’t rush to make such comparisons.” I would like to appeal to Spartak fans: let’s take positivity and good humor from the matches, and we will draw conclusions at the end of the season.
— And what about the talk that the team is now aiming for the Gagarin Cup?
— It’s premature to say it. First, you need to perform quality work on a regular schedule. Spartak is progressing smoothly in the championship, without failure or collapse. We have to see how the team will continue to function.
— Do you have an explanation for how Goldobin, Morozov and Poryadin found a common language so quickly, given that they had never played together before?
“In this trio we see two interesting and technical wingers, individually equipped, with their own extraordinary moves, with subtle and well-timed passes, who also understand the game well. Poryadin was a leader in his former team for over a season. Goldobin has great potential and has not yet proven himself 100%. And he looks different this season. We must also pay tribute to Morozov, who put everything together. He is a hockey player who understands and plays for the team. And the chemistry between them is very good.
— An offensive unit ready for the Russian national team?
— For the moment, yes, they are able to play in the national team.
***
— Goldobin sets a KHL points record if he continues to play in the same spirit. And the entire trio, if they maintain the pace of points scored, can rewrite the league’s historic numbers. It’s true?
– Let’s see. We can only wish them that everything goes well and that everything is in order for their health. But hockey is a dangerous game, so there’s no point in guessing.
— It would be nice to beat Sergei Mozyakin’s record of 85 points (48 goals + 37 assists).
“And we’re still chasing records.” Ovechkin sets a record, Goldobin. Records are made to fall and record holders become new heroes.
— What is the role of head coach Alexei Zhamnov in Spartak’s successful performance?
— The technical staff shows excellent results. This is the first such season for Zhamnov, and so far, everything is going well. He is perfectly complemented by assistant Alexey Kovalev, who has extensive playing and coaching experience. I saw Kovalev’s interview and I really liked it. The man has subtly understood the game as a hockey player and he also conveys his ideas as a coach. And the team returns the favor to the technical staff.
— Zhamnov forcefully responded to the management of FHR, who did not renew his contract with the Russian national team?
—I wouldn’t want to broach that subject. Sometimes it is difficult to explain certain steps. But in Spartak he shows his level, his transition to the club level turned out to be justified, he selected the list and staff himself. Another of his assistants, Igor Ulanov, came to Spartak for the third time? Such moments play a big role, everyone feels comfortable, they complement each other.
— In winter, the bosses of Spartak will have to work hard to retain their leaders? The giants of Russian hockey are surely already thinking about how to once again snatch brilliant players from the Moscow club.
– No, I don’t think anyone will leave. Spartak itself has a competitive budget in order to release the players it cares about. It’s no longer the same club it was 10 years ago. Today, Spartak is a rich club with goals, ambitions, a desire to win and an army of supporters who appreciate the team’s performance.
There is no need to change anything when everything is going well for you. This has been proven by time. Spartak must cherish the present moment and build on its successes.
Watch live broadcasts of the Fonbet KHL championship matches on the channel, as well as on the matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru sites.
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.
