Russia's Panarin jokes: 'We need to teach those college kids a lesson' in semifinal vs. USA
Artemi Panarin didn't waste any time firing the first salvo in the psychological battle that will surround Saturday's 2015 IIHF World Championship semifinal game between Russia and the United States.
The recent Chicago Blackhawks free-agent signing handed the Americans some bulletin-board material by suggesting he and his teammates were itching for an opportunity to put the U.S. in its place.
"We're in a fighting mood to play the Americans," Panarin said Thursday. "We need to teach those college kids a lesson."
As it turns out, Panarin was joking and his answer was in response to a playful question:
Panarin’s comment was a joking answer to a joking question that sounded: 'Should we punish those college kids?' https://t.co/8dIupnqRvv
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) May 15, 2015
The United States defeated Russia 4-2 during the preliminary round. Panarin was limited to one assist in that contest, but Russia will have Alex Ovechkin in its lineup for the rematch.