VanIslander
A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
This post will show the Paladins' fourth line of Ven Alexandrov - Alex Almetov - Konstantin Loktev simply were dominant in their era. The first great troika of Soviet hockey was Bobrov's line in the 50s. The second great line was in the early 60's:VanI, do you have some articles or some statistics to backup your statement?
http://www.1972summitseries.com/otheralexandrov.htmlPlaying on the second great troika with Almetev and Loktev, Venjamin Alexandrov was considered the greatest Soviet player of his time. He drew some incredible comparisons. He was dubbed "Bobrov 2" in Russia, after the first great Soviet star, Vsevolod Bobrov. The great Russian coach Anatoli Tarasov had another comparison though - Maurice "Rocket" Richard.
Tarasov once had a conversation with the Rocket, where Richard said his secret to success was to not worry about the two or three burly defensemen that are about to crush him as he shoots on goal. He concentrates only on finding the open spot in the net, and takes whatever punishment the other team can dish out. After all, as long as Richard scored, he would be handing out the ultimate punishment. Tarasov instantly thought of his own Alexandrov when Richard had said this.
"I think that our Alexandrov, by his style of game, by his ability to keep a level head even in the most explosive situations, looks something like Maurice Richard, the great master of attack." said Tarasov in his book Road to Olympus.
Alexandrov was the left wing on his troika. He was destined for hockey stardom as he was groomed from an early age. He was brought up and trained as a youngster through the Central Army hockey school. When he was in his prime he was an electrifying star that had crowds cheering for him not only in Russia, but in Czechoslovakia, Sweden and Finland. Even in Canada and the US, he was the closest thing to a household Soviet name in the 1960s.
Alexandrov was not an individualist, at least not in the manner that Bobrov was. Though he certainly had the skill, he was not afraid to do his share of the dirty work as well, and used his linemates better than Bobrov did.
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http://www.azhockey.com/Al.htmAlexandrov, Venjaminovic 'Venjamin' (1937- )
Born in the USSR. Left-wing. About 400 league games - 345 goals. Top scorer in 1963 (53 goals). Strong, technical player with a very good touch around the net. Mostly played on a line with Alexander Almetov and Konstantin Loktev and formed one of the best lines in USSR hockey history.
International Career : Played for the USSR 159 times (112 goals) between 1957 and 1968.
Medals : Won World Championship gold in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1968.
Won the USSR League Champion 10 times (1956, 1958-81, 1963-66 & 1968)
Alexandrov is also 8th all time in world championship scoring.
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/iihf_hockey_hall_of_fame_inducts_12/
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind08prolog.htmeligible for HHOF induction beyond one year and have registered at least 100 points in Senior World Championship play.
Name Nation Goals Assists Points World Champ Titles Olympic Titles
Boris Mikhailov USSR 98 71 169 8 2
Alexander Maltsev USSR 77 89 156 9 2
Vladimir Petrov USSR 74 80 154 9 2
Sven Johansson Sweden 84 43 127 3 0
Sergei Makarov USSR 50 68 118 8 2
Vladimir Martinec CSSR 52 58 110 3 0
Ven. Alexandrov USSR 63 41 104 4 2
Jiri Holik CSSR 55 41 104 3 0
Anatoli Firsov USSR 59 42 101 6 3
http://forums.internationalhockey.net/showthread.php?p=83055V. Alexandrov. The splendid forward was a key to the Soviet Union's fast rise to the top of the ice hockey world in the 1950's and early ''60s. Alexandrov won 11 national titles in the Soviet league with CSKA Moscow from 1955 – 1969, playing in 400 games and scoring 351 goals. As a member of the national team, he earned six IIHF World Championship titles along with three silver and two bronze medals. He totalled 104 points in his 11 IIHF Championships, putting him 8th on the all-time points list.
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http://www.hockeycanada.ca/5/0/4/9/index1.shtml
Almetov led the Soviet league in goals in 1964 centering the troika
http://www.azhockey.com/Al.htm#Alexander Almetov
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http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=Q40pJSQbsyU
http://keskustelu.jatkoaika.com/printthread.php?t=12725Veniamin Alexandrov-Alexander Almetov-Konstantin Loktev
Team USSR and CSKA, 1960s
In terms of line chemistry and look-and-feel, this was probably the strongest line in the Soviet hockey.
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http://books.google.ca/books?id=ByW...g=5VG47ljlzNaixuj_qfj1_cltq7M&hl=en#PPA187,M1Though Anatoli Firsov was probably the best player of the 1960's, the best unit was the A-line of Veniamin Alexandrov-Alexander Almetov-Konstantin Loktev - the Academicians.
Alexandrov, blond hair flying in the wind, scored 351 goals in 400 league games... Almetov scored 212 times in 220 games and Loktev potted 213 goals in 340 games... All were members of Tarasov's Central Army club (he thought they perfectly represented the Soviet hockey mentality of skate, pass, think) which was important because they played together for years - they knew each others moves and could read each others thoughts in their sleep.