Uncle Misha talks to the media

Alex Ovechkin's Dad gives an interview to Russian newspaper after the victory at IIHF World Cup (h/t to our field reporter Emily).

Trud.ru, May 22, 2012:

Mikhail Viktorovich, how often did you speak with Sasha during the course of the championship?
Sasha called us after each game. He would usually talk for a long time with his mother, and then Tatiana would pass the phone to me. I would ask Sasha how he would feel, about his health and he would tell me in details.

Did the sudden change of time zones and jet lag, in your opinion, influenced his physical condition?
Actually if Sasha would be even half-dead and he would still come to play if he was called to play for the national team, for his homeland.

But did he had to play hurt to some extent?
I don't think so. I hated to read different opinions of panicky nature on Internet forums. Say, those "superstar guys would come from America tired after the Stanley Cup playoffs and would mess up the Russian national team." And I'm glad that our guys put these skeptics in disgrace. Sasha's physical condition was good. As any professionals, all our NHL players are able to peak for a decisive game, even if the games' schedule, workouts, long flights make it difficult. And not only they peaked, they were able to quickly find a common language with new partners. Both Sasha Semin and my son immediately fit into the system. Pavel Datsyuk and defencemen interacted with them very well. Well, special thanks to Zinetula Bilyaletdinov. The games' discipline in all 10 games was on top. And overseas masters together with KHL players all worked with a maximum benefit for the team.

Have you already celebrated a victory with your son?
Not yet. Sasha immediately flew from Moscow to France. His vacation has already begun. But we will communicate with him more, discuss all the details of this championship victory not only over the phone, but at the home table.

Was our team invited to the celebrations at the Kremlin and other iconic places?
Neither Alex nor I still don't know anything about it. At the airport six players didn't receive their luggage. But we are the Russians, we have been accustomed to such situations long time ago. And these minor troubles don't knock out us of a rut. Especially with this joyous event in the back of your mind!

Source: http://www.trud.ru/article/22-05-2012/276458_mixail_ovechkin_sasha_priedet_v_sbornuju_po_pervomu_vyzovu_dazhe_polumertvyj.html

Sounds like Tiatiana, the Iron Lady - Mom, keeps everything under control.

So why Alex flew to France? Here's why...

MariaKirilenko.Com:

Internationaux de Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
May 21-26, 2012
Red clay – WTA International – $ 220,000
Singles
- First round : Sloane Stephens (USA) won, 3-6, 7-5, 0-0 (retirement, right ankle injury)
Next tournament : Roland-Garros (27 May-9 June 2012)

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