Russian national team coach names reason for defeat in World Cup game with Canada :: hockey :: RBC Sport

On Thursday, the Russians lost to Canada 1: 2 in overtime in the quarterfinal of the Ice Hockey World Championship. Russian team head coach Valery Bragin said his players had enough chances to win

A number of players from the Russian national ice hockey team were not in the best physical condition during the world championship. This is what national team chief Valery Bragin said at a press conference.

On Thursday, the Russians lost to Canada 1: 2 in extra time to the World Cup quarter-finals.

“Yes, we had the best players in the KHL, but someone was not in the best condition, like Sergei Tolchinsky, someone was completely injured, like Mikhail Grigorenko, who, in fact, played with damage “said the coach.

Bragin noted that his players had enough chances to win, despite the Canadians’ almost flawless play in defense.

“The guys tried, sometimes they got it, and the enemy played defensively with almost no mistakes. In the end, we failed to crack the defense, and conceded a goal in overtime. An unpleasant state, because we had chances, but we did not realize them, and in such matches it is important to score goals. The result is not satisfactory. I’m upset, the players are upset too. “

The Russians finished fifth at the World Championship. The Canadian national team will play in the semi-finals with the United States, the Finnish team with Germany. Both games will take place on June 5. The final and third-place match will take place on June 6. The world championship takes place in Riga.