Athletistic / Hockey. Soviet Olympic hockey champion Alexander Pashkov shared his opinion on the causes of the Torpedo’s problems. The Nizhny Novgorod team has lost 10 of its last 12 matches.
“Who is better for Dynamo Moscow to play in the first round of the playoffs? At this stage of the season, there are no convenient opponents, so you need to treat each opponent with respect. But, probably, I I now have certain preferences towards the Torpedo.”
Last season, the Nizhny Novgorod team attracted the attention of all fans, but this year Igor Larionov’s team is playing extremely unevenly. They have bad streaks both in matches and in periods. During a match we often see two different torpedoes. The last meeting with Spartak is the best example. In addition, we must take into account Dynamo’s revanchist feelings. Last season, the Blue and Whites were not ready to face a young opponent, and now, I hope, all the lessons have been learned.
A year ago, Larionov set the bar very high and now he becomes hostage to this success. But you have to understand that a player’s experience is one thing and a coach’s experience is completely different. This season shows that Larionov still lacks coaching experience. In the final matches of the Torpedo game, elements of anarchy and even panic are visible. It should be noted that the head coach is depressing. The team’s defense is not built, the veterans, led by Kruchinin, act without mood and stability. There are also strange personnel movements – for example, the transfer of Kovalenko to the center of the attack.
Torpedo has an extremely average selection and a modest roster by KHL standards. Objectively, it is difficult for Larionov now,” Pashkov said, as quoted by Russia-hockey.ru.
Torpedo has scored 74 points in 66 matches and is in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. On February 24, Igor Larionov’s team will play a match against CSKA in Nizhny Novgorod. Starts at 13:00 Moscow time.
Source: Sport
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