BYKOV BEATEN BY THE CZECHS AGAIN

Head coach of Salavat Yulaev Vyacheslav Bykov answered sport press questions after the lost match against Avangard.


Vyacheslav Bykov’s team suffered the first defeat in official games since the World Cup final in Cologne and again by the Czechs Jaromir Jagr and Roman Cervenka, as Salavat Yulaev lost to Avangard in a shootout series 4:5.

"Before the match we analyzed Avangard hockey and made several decisions", Bykov said. "As for Jaromir Jagr, he has been playing in Russia for several years, and our players perfectly know him".

"In general I understand journalist’ attention to the Czech players. After the World Championship they are in the center of people’s attention. By the way Salavat also has two Czechs – Jakub Klepis and Miroslav Blatak".

BYKOV: OUR FANS LIKE OUR OFFENSIVE STYLE

Salavat Yulaev head coach Vyacheslav Bykov comments on his team’s bright start of the season.


Ufa club scored thirteen goals in two first matches of the season. "I think it’s record result in my career", Bykov said to sport press. "And of course so high efficiency makes me happy, but don’t forget that we conceded seven goals, that is too much".

"First of all I would like to praise our players, who perfectly prepared for the season. We introduced some changes to the team’s preparations and our tactical schemes, and from this point of view the final result satisfies us".

"I respect my colleagues, who achieve results thanks to defensive hockey, but on the other hand I understand our fans who pay money and come to the stadium not to see boring goalless draw. That is why we pay more attention to offensive hockey. It’s also important for us that our fans like it".

"As for my work in the national team, Igor Zakharkin and I are satisfied with our contract with the Russian Hockey Federation. Coaching job is very specific, as you need to prove your worth every year. We are ready for it and we agreed on the federation’s conditions".

"The gold is always the main option for us. Whatever we do we always keep in mind the coming Sochi Olympic Games".

BYKOV OFFERED TO STAY IN NATIONAL TEAM

The head coach of Salavat Yulaev and the Russian national ice hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov eyes his future in the team.


"Igor Zakharkin’s and my contracts are expiring in the middle of August," said Bykov. "But we have already received offers from the Russian Hockey Federation to continue our work with the national team."

"But it is formed now only generally. I presume that in the middle of July we will start our negotiations. The offer I got is on the one hand covers the entire Olympic cycle on the other hand it does not."

"I understand that this sounds rather vague but the nuances are to be discussed later during the official talks."

BYKOV: RUSSIA WON SILVER, NOT LOST GOLD

The head coach of the Russian national ice hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov talked about the national squad after the World Championship-2010 in Cologne.


"I want to emphasize at once that we did not get silver medals of the World Championship but we won them with our sweat, blood and injuries."

"I disagree with those saying that our team came to Germany firstly to revenge on Canada and only secondary to win gold. We arrived to win gold. And not to satisfy the players’ own ambitions but to make our supporters happy."

"Let us remember the match against Czech Republic. First shift. What were your impressions – that we conceded a goal immediately because were not ready to fight?"

"And we have different feelings. Fyodorov wins the face-off, Semin rushes forward overtaking the defenseman but falls down and hits his head against the board. Fyodorov also falls down, either slips or the guard pushes him. Meanwhile Semin is lying because it hurts."

"Czechs start their counterattack and Alexandr moves to the bench to let another player help the team but he is a bit late to close down the Czech who scored."

"All this was overmotivation, the desire to jump down throat. And we cannot blame Alexandr Semin. He could have kept lying on the ice – staging though it was not a simulation. But he tried to crawl to help his teammates but was late."

"What was this? Accident? No, it is called sports. The Czechs took advantage of this situation. All honour to them!"

"It was pure Russian-Czech gambit so to say that usually ends up with 1:0, 2:1 scores."

"It was a purposeful decision to bring to Cologne as many Olympic players as possible. We wanted to give the players a chance to play, they had preference while composing the squad. That is why I spoke about Cologne as of “penal battalion”. In Vancouver we made a slip."

"As for Kovalchuk I think he managed the role of captain very well. Though young he is a very strong man. And he has developed a lot since the three years we meet in the national squad."

"I was amazed at his reaction on our first call after his New Jersey stumbled out of the NHL play-offs. Where and when should I come? – were his words. I think that this spring it was Ilya who set an example of respect to his native land. And the others followed his example."

"If I am to remain on the position of head coach till the next championship and Kovalchuk and Morozov are both in the roster I think Ilya will be captain. He is a representative of a new generation that is to pass on a baton. By the way Alexey and Ilya are friends and I do not expect any troubles with captain nomination to arise."

"It is pointless to judge our squad saying that people overestimate it or not. We chose the best to represent our country. But I think that we can be proud that our supporters want to see us only in the forefront."

"After a long break we have not only won bronze, two golds and a silver of the World Championships but our supporters again felt the taste of victories and demand perfectionism from us!"