BYKOV WORRIED FOR RADULOV

The head coach of the Russian hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov commented on recent news of his team ahead of the Swedish Games match against Finland.


Yesterday Russian team made for Helsinki, where they will come up against Finland in Swedish Games clash today.

Russia’s coaches didn’t take one of the main KHL stars – Salavat Yulaev forward Alexandr Radulov – because of ankle injury. Meanwhile he is said to miss not only Euro Hockey Tour games in Sweden, but the World Championship in Germany too.

"I won’t hide that the national team’s coaching staff is worried about situation with Radulov’s injury", Vyacheslav Bykov said to sport press. "Unfortunately nobody is secured from injures, and we are concerned about all our players’ form".

"Our doctors are taking care of Radulov, and he is advised to have rest for minimum four days. But his mindset and his desire to help us and doctors’ predictions lets us count that situation will be improved by the start of the World championship on 7 May".

Several hours before this interview Phoenics of Ilya Bryzgalov slipped out of NHL play-offs. "We are waiting for our goalie in the national team", Bykov commented. "We hope that one of the most valuable players of NHL championship will rehabilitate after painful loss in the series with Detroit".

"President of the Russian Hockey Federation Vladislav Tretyak is responsible for work with our goalkeepers. We are likely to call Bryzgalov on Thursday or Friday".

Ilya Kovalchuk said that he had made decision to play for the national team in Germany. "Ilya is gentleman", said Bykov. "He expressed his desire to help his national team at the World championships during the season and he kept his word as real patriot of his country".