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18 января 2009 года. 
Khabibulin: Old hand a boon behind bench // Chicago Tribune

CHRIS KUC. 

Joel Quenneville's coaching style continues to win over the Blackhawks, including the most veteran of the bunch.

"We have a young team, but at the same time our coach has a lot of experience," said 13-year veteran goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. "Where we lack experience he comes in.

"Everybody believes so much in what he says that everything goes without question. We kind of stay calm even when we're losing games."

Khabibulin, 36, has thrived this season under Quenneville's rotation of goalies along with Cristobal Huet. The native of Sverdlovsk, Russia, is 13-3-5 with a 2.34 goals-against average.

"[Quenneville] gets intense on the bench, but in the locker room he never shows his frustration, unlike some coaches I've played for," Khabibulin said. "With a young team, that's really important. When they see that, guys don't squeeze their sticks when they go out and play. He really tries to keep everybody level. There's never a panic in the locker room."

Khabibulin is one of three Hawks, along with Andrew Ladd and Craig Adams, who have won a Stanley Cup. He helped guide the Tampa Bay Lightning to the championship in 2004 and sees some similarities in that team and these Hawks.

"Those guys really liked each other and played for each other, and it seems like guys really like each other here," Khabibulin said. "If you like the teammates you play with, you always can find a little extra to give. That's what's happening. The longer the team stays together, I think it's going to be better and better.

"We have a good group of guys and we have depth. If we get to the playoffs, who knows, maybe we'll win it all."

One-timers: Defenseman Duncan Keith missed his second consecutive game with an apparent concussion. ... Adams was also a scratch, while fellow winger Troy Brouwer returned after sitting out the previous three contests.

Страничка Николая Хабибулина на сайте "Звёзды с Востока"

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