18.04.2013 The close match with the reigning champions of the Paralympic Games

The captivating match was played today between the Russian team and the USA national team, the reigning World champion and the 2010 Paralympic Games champion, in the semifinal of the Sledge Hockey World Championship.

The captivating match was played today between the Russian team and the USA national team, the reigning World champion and the 2010 Paralympic Games champion, in the semifinal of the Sledge Hockey World Championship.

The U.S. broke the match opening in fifth minute of the first period. But all the stickmen played head-to-head. Our guys showed the secure game, but they were lack of luck in their attacks. In the second period the Ugra sportsman Vasiliy Varlakov got through to the goalmouth, made a shot but missed. His challengers were more successful in their attack and shot straight into the net of the Russian team. In the third period Vasiliy Varlakov scored a long hoped goal. After a magnificent pause like a complete master he made a strong and well-placed shot into the top corner. He gave no chance to the U.S. goaltender. And two minutes later Vasiliy Varlakov could shoot the rival’s goals again, but at the last gasp the U.S. player stopped the puck. It was a fair chance to level the match, but unfortunately, the USA national team took the game 2 to 1.

“To my mind, Vasiliy Varlakov was the best player during this meet.” comments Aleksandr Zykov, head coach of the Ugra Sledge Hockey Club. “Konstantin Shikhov and Andrey Sokolov struggled as if it was their last fight. The United States had nothing to do but lie on back. In general this game was very meaningful. The guys could have gained the victory today, there were lots of combats won by our musclemen. It was an open hockey. The Russian sledge stickmen could not hide how they were frustrated by the failure.”

Eduard Isakov, the President of the Ugra Sledge Hockey Club, says that Russia will fight for bronze at the World Championship. The today’s Czech Republic – Canada match will decide the rival of our team.