Nikulin Blog: September 25th
September 25, 2007
Another great translation from ThirtyFive on the HFBoards.
So I’ve played my first games for Ottawa. And even though it’s just exhibition, I still had an amazing experience. The first game was against Alexander Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.
Can you imagine, a sellout crowd for an exhibition game! I’m playing on a line with Daniel Alfredsson! I had about 12 minutes of ice-time. So little because I wasn’t out to kill penalties. Had one shot on goal, but didn’t have any other scoring chances. Just had one moment and I tried scoring.
There was no setup for the game. And game assignments are not really common practice here (or discussing a game, we just talk for about 5-10 minutes). It’s pre-season training, so people are getting used to things, and so am I. And I had to get used to everything: the speed, the physical battles, faceoffs.
That last element needs serious work. It’s very tough to win a faceoff in the NHL. I’ve got to work on my arm strength, since they just tear the puck away from me, and that’s not good at all, obviously. As a result I sometimes didn’t even skate up to the dot, the wings took the faceoff.
But I think I’ve gotten used to the speed. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, your concentration here must be extremely high, you can’t let up for a second. Everyone’s very good at keeping the puck. I’d like to point how quickly teams switch from offence to defense. I have to work on that as well. As far as reaction time, I was on the same page as everyone.
I also have to tell you about Alfredsson. Obviously, I’ve never played with a partner like that. A hockey player of a tremendously high level. If you make a pass to him, you can always get it back. And he gets open very well, and invites a pass. Never noticed a mistake from him. And about Spezza I can also say only the most positive things. But really, all this is difficult to put into words, you’ve got to see it. There are no set defense pairings. They rotate, so it’s possible to play with any of the three pairs.
The second game was against Montreal, but I played very little in that, only nine and a half minutes. Again had one shot on goal. Seemingly was in a good position, we had a two-on-one, the goalie deflected it, and then there was havoc in front of the crease but we couldn’t stuff it in.
I’m told to shoot more, and I’m ready to do so. But what am I supposed to do, shoot from behind the net? I’m trying and will attack at every opportunity. But I have to be in a good position. And I still enter the zone like I was taught as a kid, not just dumping the puck in. Although, sometimes that’s better. There is no rule about that, you just have to act according to the situation with the best result in mind.
The second period of the Montreal game was especially good for me, I was often out on the ice. Against the Canadiens I was on a line with Chris Neil and Denis Hamel. Yes, linemates constantly change, but for me the most important thing is playing, being on the ice. It’s a bit early to start choosing partners.
Looking at the physical conditioning, everything’s noticeably improved. I think I’m on par with everyone. I take the body. But obviously there are true masters of a whole different level here. It’s felt in everything, in every episode.
To return to the faceoffs, what also hinders me is that I’m playing with the stick I had during the first pre-season game with CSKA. All others broke, this is the only one left. I mean I don’t have one with the same blade I’m used to. I’d take Spezza’s, but his grip is different. They said I should get some this week. If this last one breaks, I have no idea what I will play with. I’ll have to take somebody else’s, I guess, but that’s a bit uncomfortable.
But there’s no real pressure. Everyone had a friendly laugh at Anton Volchenkov during the Montreal game, for example. He took all the pucks, wasn’t very lucky. Blocked about seven shots.
I haven’t been penalized a minute yet. You can tell hockey is cleaner here. There’s little hooking and it’s called right away. Most penalties are for that, and also for slashing the arms or grabbing your opponent. Everyone hits and that’s allowed. But I didn’t really have many chances to break the rules. Didn’t take part in any fights either.
I must say we have amazing goaltenders, yet they say there’s no number one yet. I really liked Martin Gerber. He’s so calm. And Jeff Glass is just as good. Looks like there are no bad goalies here at all.
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
