"We believe in Kozyrev's hockey"

On May 8, the tour of the Russian national ice hockey team will end in Minsk. Our team will play Belarus for the fourth time in a week. The Russians lost three previous matches — once in Astana (2:4) and twice in Tolyatti (7:8 OT; 1:3). So far, Roman Rotenberg's team has only one victory in this round — over Kazakhstan in Astana (4:1). The most productive player of this round is the striker of the Russian national team and Severstal Cherepovets, Danil Aimurzin, who scored 7 (3+4) points using the goal+pass system.

In an interview with Izvestia, the 23-year-old hockey player explained the reasons for the defeats by the Belarusians and the departure of Severstal in the first round of the KHL playoffs, and also stated that he believes in the style of play preferred by the head coach of the Cherepovets team, Andrei Kozyrev.

— What is the reason for the failures in the matches against the Belarusians?

— These are our mistakes, and Belarusians are doing great. They score goals when they create chances in attack, we don't. That's the main difference between us and them in these matches. In my opinion, the only reason for defeats is that they have better execution of chances.

— How do you like being in the national team now?

— It's always a pleasure to play for the national team and represent Russia. There are good players in the team here — everyone knows what to do on the ice. It's interesting to go out on the ice with them. Especially when the stands are full.

— The Russian national team played in Tolyatti for the first time. How do you like the atmosphere at these matches?

— Everything is fine. Thank you to the fans for supporting us and filling the arena to capacity on both days. It is very pleasant and interesting to play in such an atmosphere.

"Our hockey is interesting and beautiful — I believe in it and get high from it"

Severstal and Russian national team hockey player Timofey Davydov talks about the Cherepovets club's playing style, the chances of achieving success with him in the KHL playoffs and being called up to the national team for the May tour

— What are the emotions from the first match in Tolyatti, which we lost in overtime with a score of 7:8? You gave the audience a celebration, but from the point of view of the participant of the game, how does it feel?

— It's always nice to score a lot. And it's unpleasant to miss so much. I won't say anything original here. It's bad that we lost. In principle, the way we won back from 3-7 in the third period gave us positive emotions. But it was necessary to bring the matter to victory after that.

— How would you rate your performance in these matches?

— You need to add more.

"About what?"

— In everything. Play more actively in defense.

— Is it important to win the upcoming match in Minsk against the Belarusians in order to finish this May tour with at least one victory over them?

— Of course, you always want to win. Therefore, we will do everything to win the last match. To go on vacation in a good mood. It is clear that Belarus is a strong opponent, as shown by the matches with us. This team can beat anyone, but we will do everything to win against them in Minsk. We have everything for that.

"We always have a bone-in-the-bone game with Belarus"

Russian national team and SKA hockey player Marat Khairullin talks about his former teammate's overseas debut, the upcoming matches of the national team and Ovechkin's record

— More than a month has passed since Severstal's departure from the KHL playoffs. Since then, have you decided for yourself why you lost the series to Spartak (1:4)?

— Lack of realization of moments in attack and mistakes in defense. I already answered your question about the national team, that you can always play better. I can also say about Severstal. I hope we'll improve next season.

— In your opinion, is it possible to achieve success in the playoffs with the style of play that Andrei Kozyrev sets for Severstal - playing the pass attack without closing in his zone at all?

— We believe in this hockey. We wouldn't be playing it if we didn't believe in it. Our task is to achieve success with such a game.

— The series with Spartak was not very productive for you and Kirill Pilipenko, although you were the leaders of Severstal in the regular season. Why didn't you manage to show your best in the playoffs?

— We didn't score when we had chances. We had opportunities for goals — it was just that the puck didn't fly into the goal.