Russia’s fans did not even have a single goal to celebrate as the team suffered its second straight loss of the Swedish stage of the Eurotour, going down 0-4 to the Czech Republic.
Any hopes of a successful result for Russia had already vanished before the end of a dismal first period. The Czechs’ first serious attack resulted in a goal, with Salavat Yulaev defenseman Jakub Nakladal finding the target a matter of seconds into the third minute. And while Mikhail Biryukov should not be happy with himself for being beaten at his near post for the second, then the blame for the third and fourth rests firmly on the shoulders of the defense for twice leaving the Yugra goalie helpless and exposed.
“I can’t say that the guys don’t understand my plans,” said head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov. “It’s just the opposite – they are all trying, but nothing is working out. A lot depends on the guys’ training at their clubs, but they play a different kind of hockey there.”
Host team Sweden later secured victory in the tournament by beating the Finns 3-1 in the deciding game. The final standings read thus: Sweden - 7 points, Czech Republic - 5, Russia and Finland - 3.
The overall Eurotour standings now read: Sweden - 16, Russia - 15, Czech Republic - 13, Finland - 10.
The next and final stage is to be played in the Czech Republic from the 26th to the 29th of April.
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КХЛ 2008—2021
KHL 2008—2021
All rights to materials posted on the website www.khl.ru (hereinafter referred to as the Website) and which are the objects of exclusive rights, including the registered trademarks and symbolics of the “КХЛ”/“KHL”, “МХЛ” / “JHL”, “ЖХЛ” / “WHL” (hereinafter referred to as the Trademarks), as well as on photo and video images, articles, etc., which are owned by CHL LLC, are protected in compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. The placement and / or use of Trademarks and other intellectual property of CHL LLC without the direct consent of CHL LLC are considered and prosecuted as intellectual property rights violations of CHL LLC in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. It is forbidden to automatically extract information from the Website by any services without the official permission of CHL LLC. Quoting from the Website and satellite projects of the official messages of the Kontinental Hockey League is allowed only with a direct link to the site www.khl.ru.