Alexander Kharitonov scored the only goal for Russia.

Russians squeak
past Kazakhstan
By Phil Coffey | NHL.com
Feb. 18, 2006

TORINO, Italy - How do you measure one goal? For Team Russia, a second-period wraparound by Alexander Kharitonov was as big as the great outdoors, preventing the Russians from being victimized in what would have been considered one of the great upsets in Olympic hockey history.

Kharitonov's goal, at 11:38 of the second, was the only puck to find the back of the net at the Torino Esposizioni Saturday as the Russians slipped past a determined Kazakhstan, 1-0.

Like the Americans' 4-1 win over Kazakhstan, the Russian dominated play from the opening whistle, helped by Kazakhstan's inability to stay out of the penalty box. But Kazakhstan once again received brilliant goaltending as Vitaly Yeremeyev stood on his head, skates, arms and just about every other body part to thwart a relentless Russian onslaught.

"We were preparing very seriously for this game and we tried our best to give them a good fight," Yeremeyev said. "We wanted to save our best game (for) Russia.

"There could have been some underestimation of our strength (by the Russian)," the goalie said. "But it's their problem, not ours."

The Russians, now 2-1 in the tournament, had double the shots, 50-24 and half the penalty minutes, 26-12, so it's easy to see how the ice was tilted.

"We had four of five power plays with five-on-three and we have to score," New York Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis said. "We have to score at least one goal on our power play."

But give Kazakhstan, now 0-3 in the tournament, a lot of credit for hanging in and keeping it a game right until the final moments.

"I thought it was a good game," said Nik Antropov of the Toronto Maple Leafs. "Like I said a few days ago, we once again took too many penalties. That's unfortunate for us. We lost the game and there is nothing we can do about it.

Yeremeyev was brilliant, but a fair share of the credit must go to Russian goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who recorded his second-straight shutout. He also has blanked Sweden in the tournament.

The Russians' forward lines easily told the tale of the lopsided nature of the game. Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk centered for Montreal's Alexei Kovalev and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk. The Islanders' Alexei Yashin was the pivot for Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin. New Jersey's Viktor Kozlov centered former San Jose Shark Alexander Korolyuk and Los Angeles' Alexander Frolov, and Pittsburgh Penguins' prospect Evgeni Malkin centered for Kharitonov, a former Tampa Bay pick, and Maxim Sushinsky, a past Minnesota Wild draft pick.

That's a lot of firepower and speed, and the Russians used it throughout, but just couldn't finish the deal.

"We're happy with the result," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said. "We have a good system and we played defense well. We're getting better. We're all adjusting."

Russian netminder Evgeni Nabokov posted his second straight shutout.

Nabokov, the San Jose Sharks goaltender, was quick to point out he wasn't making excuses for his teammates, but did indicate that getting adjusted to the time difference and playing in a couple of the early games in Torino has made his team's adjustment period a litter rougher than expected.

"In the NHL, you go through good times and bad times too," Nabokov said. "You have to fight your way through them and today, we did.

"I'm not trying to make excuses, but these could be a factor for why we are not going as well."

The game was an odd one for Nabokov, who was born in Kazakhstan, but plays for Russia.

"It's a little weird," he admitted. "All those guys are my friends, some of my best friends. I grew up with them since I was 10-years-old. It's a little weird, but it's sport."

Next up for the Russians is Latvia, which figures to be an emotional game. Plus, the Latvians are a speedy, dangerous team and Nabokov said the Russians had to take their game to the finishing level to avoid a potential upset.

"We have to be prepared," Nabokov said. "Latvia is a good team. If we play this way against Latvia ... I don't think so."

"They will play good defense and they will finish their checks," Kasparaitis said of the Latvians. "Any time you play a former Soviet republic team, they are going to come out and play hard against you."