No Easy Ride for Russia against Latvia – Varlamov

© RIA Novosti . Uriy Strelets / Go to the mediabankSemyon Varlamov
Semyon Varlamov  - Sputnik International
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The Russian ice hockey team is under no illusions that their opening world championship game against Latvia will be an easy win, Colorado Avalanche and Russia goaltender Semyon Varlamov told RIA Novosti on Friday.

The Russian ice hockey team is under no illusions that their opening world championship game against Latvia will be an easy win, Colorado Avalanche and Russia goaltender Semyon Varlamov told RIA Novosti on Friday.

Russia slogged to a hard-fought 2-1 win in Riga on April 20 before losing a second game 1-0 the next day as part of a Euro Hockey Challenge warm-up event.

“We’ve already played two games against Latvia, the games were tough, so our opponents tomorrow will be serious,” said Varlamov.

“We respect every opponent because there are no weak teams at the world championships, and we’ll fight any team that plays against us.”

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin could give Russia the edge, Varlamov suggested.

“It’s hard to compare any other player to Malkin,” he said when asked which of the Latvians could compete with the four-time NHL all-star.

Varlamov has imported the NHL tradition of the playoff beard to the world championships, although he will shave if Russia reaches the final, he said.

“I won’t shave until the final itself. I think everyone believes Russia will play in the final.”

Varlamov will start in goal for Russia against Latvia, coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov told RIA Novosti on Friday. The goaltender said this week that the emotional rush he feels when representing his country outweighs anything the NHL has to offer.

Varlamov, 24, first played in the NHL with the Washington Capitals in 2008 before moving to the Avalanche in 2011. In 112 NHL games, he has a save percentage of .915.

The world championships are co-hosted by Finland and Sweden and started Friday, running through May 20.

Russia is based in Stockholm for the group stage and will play its first game Saturday against Latvia, followed by matches against Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Italy.

 

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