Nikita Zadorov spoke to Swedish reporters Monday following Russia's 4-1 loss to Finland at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship. Friend of the site, Alex Nilsson (follow: @aalexnil), was kind enough to share and translate Zadorov's comments.
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Russia didn't play well and lost
against Finland.
Now Sweden could pay for that in the
group final?"We'll learn lots from this," says Nikita Zadorov
The big Russian defenseman is bigger than any
on the Swedish roster. With his 196 centimeters and almost 100 kilos
the 18 year old, who made his debut in NHL with the Sabres, is
clearly showing up on the ice.
But he wasn't happy after the 1-4-loss against Finland on Monday.
But he wasn't happy after the 1-4-loss against Finland on Monday.
One point for Sweden against Russia is enough to earn top spot in the group. A Russian win could force three teams to nine points and then it will be a up to goal difference to decide which team ends up in which quarter final. Sweden can be third placed in the group if they lose.
"It will be fun and I think we'll beat Sweden," Zadorov says, who like Russian star Mikhail Grigorenko, is a property of the Buffalo Sabres.
Playing in the juniors in Canada, Zadorov knows what's waiting for them in Sweden.
"Filip Forsberg and Elias Lindholm are two good players. But we'll play physical against them but on the same time avoid ending up in the box 'cause Sweden have a good power play," Zadorov says.
Zadorov says the player he knows most about in the Swedish team is goalie Oscar Dansk, who he has faced in OHL.
"I know how to score on him", he says.
How?
"You'll see tomorrow."
But Elias Lindholm doesn't get scared by Zadorov's talk.
"Nick Sörensen played with Grigorenko in QMJHL so I think we'll get some tips on how to stop him from Nick. Russia is a good team with good forwards and a great goalie. We need to focus on our game to take a win."
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Translation: Alex Nilsson (@aalexnil)
Original article (in Swedish): Martin Nilsson, Mittmedia | http://op.se/sport/1.6653089-
