FINLAND WIN CHANNEL ONE CUP, RUSSIA IS ONLY THE SECOND

Russian hockey team defeated Czech Republic in penalty shootout to take the second place at the Channel One Cup in Moscow, while Finland won the trophy.

Russia ended their streak of five straight titles at home Channel One Cup after Finland beat Olympic champion Sweden 4-3 in penalty shootout.

President of the Russian Hockey Federation Vladislav Tretyak summarized results of the tournament.

"The last match against Czech Republic was really fantastic", said Tretyak. "It’s a pity that we didn’t win it in regular time, however nerve-strain was absolutely unbelievable".

"When our trio defended our goal against five Czech players, I was so happy and proud for our fighters. I even want to make a video and send it to Canada for our youth team, so that they will see how they need to fight".

"I agree that Russia has problems in defense, and it’s clear that our defenseman often make wrong decisions. I also lay claims to our forwards, who created a lot of scoring chances but didn’t convert them into goals".

"I don’t want to blame players, since several players are weaker than other Russian internationals’ by their individual qualities".

"Fyodorov, Radulov and Saprykin won the World Championship, but failed to demonstrate all their best skills at Channel One Cup. As for these players, I think that they were a little tired".

"The coaches’ task of determining the Olympic roster has become more complicated, but on the other hand it became easier, since now we see which players are better prepared. Coaches have enough information to think about, they need to watch the games again and analyze them".

"Level of hockey will be higher at the Olympic Games and players will be much stronger too. Czech guys forgave us this time when they didn’t score on powerplay, but nobody will do it in Vancouver. Our main target for today is to determine the squad".

"I can’t make any predictions until December 24. To my mind now it’s better just to sit down and analyze all players’ performance at Moscow tournament".

"I think that we should take three links of NHL players to Vancouver. By the way Czech Republic coaches said that they would take 18 in-field players to Vancouver out of 20, that means that only two players, who took part in Channel Cup One, will go to the Olympics".

"Of course we won’t do without NHL players and fortunately many of them shake off their injuries and return to action".

KURRI: I LIKE THE ROLE OF DARK HORSE

General manager of Finnish hockey team Jari Kurri gave an interview after his team won the Channel One Cup.

"I am not ready to say that Moscow competition was the last chance for our players to earn a place in Olympic squad", said Jari Kurri. "They should prove their right to be included to the national team’s roster for the Olympic Games during the whole season".

"Now it’s still unclear how many players, who took part in Channel One Cup, will go to Vancouver".

"We are to face difficult choice, because players from NHL and Europe claim to equal number of places in the team’s roster. We will think it over again and discuss, since we have two weeks before announcing the squad".

"I would prefer to keep names of candidates in secret until the very end. Players shouldn’t relax regardless their former achievements".

"Performance during the regular season (in Finnish league or KHL) is important, but they pass through the main test in the national team".

"Pessonen and Ramo didn’t play at Channel One Cup through injury problems, while Kukkonen was absent because of family circumstances. But it doesn’t mean that they lost chances to go to Vancouver, since we had enough opportunities to watch them in action".

"More Finnish players now play in KHL and we can watch their display in detail, while they can make progress in the high-class championship and earn money there".

"I don’t see anything strange in extending the contract with the national team’s head coach Jukka Jalonnen ahead of the Olympic Games and the World Championships. We are satisfied with his work, as the team demonstrates high-quality hockey and makes progress under his reigns. It seems to me that our trust will positively affect his work".

"Finland won silver medals at the previous Olympic Games and we would like to improve this result. It’s clear that Canada and Russia are the main favorites, and they are followed by Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and America".

"On the other hand any team is able to surprise everyone and we will try to do it in Vancouver".

"Nobody expects winning the gold from us, so I even like our role of dark horse. Canada will play at home, and everybody understands that the hosts will be pressed by the home public. Russia won two previous World Championship and is eager to take the Olympic gold, while we are in shadow".