Varlamov: NHL will start in December
Eurolanche fan club talked again with the Colorado Avalanche goalie.My opinion is that Semyon Varlamov is currently the best goaltender in the world. He
plays in the KHL for the team of his childhood and junior years Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Varlamov has
appeared in 12 games and won 9 of them. He gains 3 shutouts; his save
percentage is 95.1 % and GAA is 1.63. Thanks to Varlamov, Lokomotiv won 9
straight games.
Semyon has not been on the roster for two straight games.
Lokomotiv lost both of them. There was a speculation that Varlamov has injured
his knee or head after the headshot earlier in the week, but he denies it. Eurolanche met with the Avalanche goalie
after the game against HC Slovan; played in Bratislava, Slovakia. More
photos of the game could be found in
this public photo gallery. Scroll down for the game recap.
We asked Varlamov also questions, which we got from
our members and fans on the web or Twitter. We will draw and the winning fan
will get the official magazine of the game. Follow us at @Eurolanche or on Facebook.
Why
you did not play last two games?
I cannot say.
Are
you injured? You were hit by puck to your head in the game against CSKA Moscow.
It was nothing serious.
And
your knee?
Everything is great.
Will
you play in the next game?
Yeah, probably.
What
do you think about comments of some NHL players, who said that NHLPA should
step back and signed a new deal with the NHL?
I don´t care. They said, what they said. I read
those news, but it is not my business.
What
is your opinion: Should NHLPA agree with the NHL?
I don´t know, we will see.
What
do you think about decertification of the NHLPA? (Varlamov did not read about
that, I explained it to him)
I do not think it is going to happen. I do not
know. Tough question.
What
are your sources for the checking the news about lockout except the official
newsletters?
I read Russians newspapers. That is how I know news from the NHL.
Do
you think the new season will start on 15th December?
I think so. The NHL will start in December.
What
was your best game as the Avalanche goalie?
I think against the New York Rangers, when I stopped
41 shots. I think one of the best as the Avalanche player.
And
what about your best international game?
The final game against Slovakia this year. We won the
championship.
What
is the best current hockey player?
Probably Malkin. I like Crosby, he is my favorite
player.
HC
Slovan Bratislava – Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 3:2 (1:0, 1:2, 1:0)
Goals and assists: 11. Hudacek (Bartovic, Bliznak),
32. Visnovsky (Stajnoch), 41. Hudačck (Vondrka, Blizňnka - 21. Galimov
(Anisimov, Kronwall), 37. Hagman (Kronwall, Kaluznyj)
Slovan had weak start to the game and was regularly outshouted
by Lokomotiv. Did not matter on the stats, Slovan took one-goal in the first
period. We had seen many penalties on the both sides. Players were nervous and
the weak officials did not help much the whole atmosphere. Lokomotiv tied a
game later in the middle frame, but Slovan re-took a lead again thanks to NHL defenseman
Visnovsky.
Lokomotiv´s players were frustrated more from minute
to minute, because in spite of many powerplays and shots, they could not score
second goal. Slovan goalie Janus was showing another fantastic performance. At
the other side, former Avalanche goalie Vitalij
Kolesnik, was not busy like his opponent, but also had very solid game with
some tremendous saves. Lokomotiv finally found the receipt and tied a game for
the second time.
Score 2:2 did not last long, because Slovan scored the
third one at the start of the last period. Not much interesting third period
has not brought more goals. One of Slovan´s player missed the entire empty net
in the final minute, but home team of HC Slovan Bratislava won 3:2 in a big
drama.
Spotlight
on Varlamov
Varlamov has signed a lockout contract with the Lokomotiv almost two months ago. He spent majority part of his child and junior career there. He was thinking about the option to come back to Lokomotiv one year ago, but finally was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and signed new contract there. It has saved his life. The plane with the entire Lokomotiv team (players, staff, except the goalie coach) crashed during the take off. One hockey player and one crew member of the plane survived. That player died in the next week at the hospital. It was one of the saddest tragedies in the history of sport. Former Avalanche players Ruslan Salei and Karlis Skrastins were amongst the victims. Also, famous Slovak and NHL player, Pavol Demitra, died in the accident. The latest reports indicate that the inexperience of one of the pilots is the main case of the crash.
- Do not miss our previous interview with Semyon Varlamov and his newest photos at this link.
- The list of Eurolanche´s exclusive interviews is available here. All interviews are in English language.
David Puchovsky, Slovakia, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
26/11/2012 - 08:00
