Appetite comes during a meal
those years each new hockey season began an in Moscow — in other cities there were no stadiums with the artificial ice, even open. Tournament on Sovetsky Sport newspaper prizes always was considered as the overture. By 1960 it already became traditional and proceeded some more decades.
At a stage of the one eighth final Torpedo members in an extra time pulled out a victory at team of the Leningrad institute of engineers of railway transport — 4:3. At the following stage last minute managed to carry out a decisive washer to the Moscow Dynamo members — 2:1. In a semi-final changed capital "Locomotive" — 6:3, and in the final did not give up any hopes to Moscow "Spartak" — 5:1 which surpassed before fellow countrymen - "soldiers" — 3:2. It was the serious demand of "Torpedo" for a place in the sun in group of the strongest. Arkady Ivanovich Chernyshyov's reaction, at that time the senior trainer not only "Dynamo", but also national team, was corresponding: "I like team of Gorky "Torpedo". At all not because I am the resident of Gorky. In this collective energy, enthusiasm, the will to win bribes. Certainly, it is not enough all these qualities for success in such competition as superiority of the USSR, but it is impossible to forget that now Torpedo members support the advantages with the experience multiplied by growing skill. And that team which does not want to reckon with it, coming to ice against "Toperdo", can pay with two points".
Also know, what team of the first "paid" for underestimation of residents of Gorky? Moscow "Dynamo"! And not two points, and opportunity in general to be overcome for national championship awards.
Superiority were challenged by 19 teams broken into two zones. To continue fight for medals, it was necessary to be in the top three. In group in which Torpedo members acted, it was required to play the fourth superfluous: the class of teams considerably differed, and for three permits in the final three Moscow grandees – "Krylja Sovetov", "Spartak", "Dynamo" plus "Torpedo" argued.
the championship Beginning for residents of Gorky turned out, to put it mildly, unimportant — the first match with "Wings" — 1:7, in the second round — a draw with "Spartak". The following four victories on departure in Novosibirsk and Novokuznetsk added points, but more confidence in own forces.
the Major. And Boginov appointed one of trainers of that team. After the general installation, the trainer asked to remain already staying thoughts over the ocean of newly made collections.
— As mood? — the boginovsky question followed.
— Fighting — right there were blurted out by the most jet of the three Sakharov. — And if it is honest, offensively will be to be traumatized and not to go.
in reply heard:
— Forget about a trip. You have to play the game, give all the best up to the end, show a class. After all I till the latest moment had to prove that your three is more, than someone, is worthy this honor — to represent the Soviet hockey in so responsible tour. Everything understood?
As here was not to understand? Besides the situation in the championship forced both commands to go for broke. Apparently, everything had to be solved in duel of two best three of attack — Chistovsky and Starshinov with brothers Mayorov. But that's put that "Torpedo" of a sample of 1960-1961 was team not only one three. When something was not got on in the main link, the initiative was assumed by Igor Shichkov's trio.
I know, what team of the first "paid" for underestimation of residents of Gorky? Moscow «Dynamo"! And not two points, and opportunity in general to be overcome for national championship awards.It was impossible to them — forward there was the third link. And skillful defenders helped with Konovalenko's defense — Vladimir Solodov with Valery Kormakov and Vyacheslav Zhidkov. And Torpedo members won more than convincingly — 6:0.
"Strength of residents of Gorky were felt by trainers of leading teams. Last spring, after sensational loss of CSKA to Torpedo members, the trainer of "soldiers" A. Tarasov assured: "Our defeat – accident". Now during the last match with "Spartak" it spoke: "Torpedo" — a hard nut to crack. Chistovsky — a certain candidate for the national team. Konovalenko too is good. And in general residents of Gorky — it is team!" — wrote "The Soviet sports" on November 22, 1960.
But the outcome of a preliminary stage had to be turned by br in a meeting with Moscow "Dynamo" — only the winner got to a final stage and continued fight for medals.
Game took place after New Year's holidays and the American tour of the youth national team. Gorky died out those two hours. It seems that even the city transport ceased to work: all clung to TVs. Torpedo members handed over the most important examination that evening — to be called as a hot team. Also got the highest points: they excellent held a meeting and stood last minute, conducting 2:1 when from a platform removed Boris Nemchinov, and Dynamo members removed the goalkeeper.
Before three final rounds three teams kept identical chances of medals — except residents of Gorky still "Locomotive" and "Krylja Sovetov". And to "Torpedo" in final matches took a maximum — six points, and both Moscow teams of any!
the Destiny of silver medals was decided by br in the last game with "Wings". On warm-up it was necessary to pay attention to the categorical appeal traced on the poster by arshinny letters: "Torpedo"! Silver — yes! Bronze — no! "
Insatiable fans, seemingly, did not consider br to whom their favourites had to compete on February 16. At Muscovites that a name — a star: Olympic and world champions Alexey Guryshev, Alfred Kuchevsky, Mikhail Bychkov, champions of the USSR Vladimir Grebennikov, Victor Pryazhnikov, Yury Tsitsinov … In "Torpedo" — any of whom it would be possible to boast. But no authorities for residents of Gorky already then existed a barrier: the shyness before them was not any.
And here still snow tumbled down br mercilessly, the sail was blown by the strongest. Around all guessed, to whom on a hand bad weather. Met more that to owners — they are younger, more annoying, though conceded in equipment to the majority of the Moscow experts.
Owners the first opened the account. But such beginning only set on the rival, and the situation was quickly leveled. But after two periods on a board figures 3:1 in favor of "Torpedo" burned.
In a break in a locker room of owners death silence. And here Boginov entered: "Do not look at a board, is not present 3:1. You have to start from scratch. It is necessary to play so that our rivals did not have oxygen in our zone that they on the red line felt that further the way is closed".
to Muscovites of oxygen also did not suffice. By the match end they hardly on skates stood. Later Volodya Solodov told me about reaction of the most eminent of Guryshev's Muscovites to hysterically hurting tribunes: "I could not hear it, on ice not before was. And children who is closer to a bench of "Wings" sat, heard Lyoshkina the remark turned to fans: "That do you shout? Won already yours, won! "
Total account of that match 4:2. And silver medals were received deservedly by residents of Gorky. And in a month they could confirm that not so incidentally became the second in the country: "Torpedo" reached also a cup-final of the USSR where conceded to the same CSKA in Luzhniki sports palace.
the Way to the national team it was ordered by br
Victor Konovalenko
I was lucky to communicate almost with all players of that "silver" team, and to be on friendly terms with some not one decade though we were divided by time and distance. Unfortunately, very long ago was not in Nizhny so I can be mistaken, but from all heroes of that, the 1961st torpedovsky structure, seemingly, in live today only Valery Kormakov. By the way, with it a few years ago when it was executed half a century of that success, we remembered events of semicentennial prescription.
Certainly, the first exorcized about Konovalenko. But about this cool master I told to visitors of our portal of all a month ago . Could tell about this remarkable athlete and the person more many. But I will give only one example which characterized also Konovalenko and all his companions on that silver team.
It is known that to get to the national team in the 60th years and much later, it was necessary to support one of the Moscow clubs, it is better for CSKA or "Dynamo" because in these teams trainers of the national team worked also. In this case the treasured sweater with four letters on a breast of "USSR" was almost guaranteed to you. Also invited to the capital of Gorky players constantly, promised golden mountains and gold medals of world champions.
But on my memory only one of all Torpedo members in the 60th years gave in to br on arrangements and left under Arkady Ivanovich Chernyshyov's capital Dinamo wing — Valery Vasilyev. And actually for many years after that protected colors not only white-blue, but also a national team, became the double Olympic champion, the eightfold world champion. Would remain in Gorky — hardly would reach so many honors, ranks and awards.
Approximately then slightly was did not go to the capital and Konovalenko, however, already in time to get Olympic and world titles — "Spartak" was headed just by Victor's idol Vsevolod Bobrov, and he invited the goalkeeper in red-white club.
"On the one hand — Beavers. Not "Spartak" and not Moscow. Beavers. And with another — all native and close to what grew roots: family, club, automobile works, city … The word I decided.
When played in Moscow, was going to confirm the consent to transition in the presence of representatives of All-Union council of DSO of labor unions. And here on my eyes the trade-union administration not gentlemanlike managed with our chief of team respected by all Mamulayshvili. Nikolay Nesterovich … felt, it is visible, wrong. And him roughly pushed away: "Do not climb in others affairs! " That at me so addressed with Nesterychem? It all the same that native would offend the father, and I kept silent. At me as if the veil descended from eyes. Right there, without deliberating, I tore the statement and refused transition".
And here very similar story with other known Torpedo member, but occurred ten years before, till a silver season. Heard it firsthand. But in the beginning I will present the interlocutor of that time. Volodya Solodov — from those who started playing "Torpedo" to Boginov, was the first envoy of Gorky hockey in USSR national team, participated in her to the first trip across the ocean in 1957, however, on friendly matches.
Approximately then slightly was did not go to the capital and Konovalenko, however, already in time to get Olympic and world titles — "Spartak" was headed just by Victor's idol Vsevolod Bobrov, and he invited the goalkeeper in red-white club.and on the tops of trade-union sports solved in the Same fall a question of transition of the young Gorky defender in "Krylja Sovetov" — after all the defending champion of the country, it should be strengthened. No arguments helped, and the player only finished himself: means, so it will be necessary, so so better. Without giving out externally oppressive state, dragged simple stuff from a torpedovsky locker room in Luzhniki Sports palace to the neighboring room which was occupied by "Wings". Residents of Gorky drove on ice, their time was to train, and Malts — on a tribune: its new team was engaged in a trace.
— before "the" training decided to ask a question to the senior trainer of "Wings" Vladimir Kuzmich Egorov as me to be with study, after all I was the student of Gorky Polytechnic University. In reply heard: "And it not my business. On me though at all do not study, the main thing – game". How you think, whether there could be I after such answer in "Wings"? Right there collected things — and back, to, Gorky. That pleasure slightly did not strangle me.
Here only absolutely it not much more endured Konovalenko. And on the Old and Autofactory cemetery of their grave a row — Konovalenko and Solodov.
And all three outstanding players of the best-known torpedovsky link of attack found br the rest nearby. Lev Halaichev, by the way, the author of two heads in gate of Swedes in a December match of 1961 in Moscow USSR national team against Swedes when the Gorky three Sakharov — Chistovsky — Halaichev the first and only time played in full strength for USSR national team did not become the first of them. The national team then won 2:1, and Halaichev's name forever remained on tables of the Soviet and Russian hockey.
Robert Sakharovsky who was the most productive in that link died One and a half years ago, once even — in the 1960th became the best goal-scorer of the USSR championship with 36 goals. Small growth, fast, even jet Robert the first kept up on the verified transfers of partners in the three. Having finished career, Sakharov became the known hockey arbitrator, and five times was included in the top ten judges following the results of a hockey season.
for Only two months Igor Chistovsky most, probably, talented from all of field of torpedovsky players of that time endured the companion on the three. And matches for native club carried out more than others — 435, and washers threw decently — 172. And one more as a part of the first USSR national team for which played only six times and that in friendly matches. He agrees to pass to arrangements into any of the Moscow clubs, and it was invited by everything, would become for certain great. Here is how estimated the companion Konovalenko: "The player from god. As soon as it did not call to whom only did not compare. Even at one time differently as "the second Beavers" also did not tell about I Babble. Also I will not remember, from where this nickname was assigned to it: Babbling. Can be from what literally flied on a platform? And on character it was soft and kind? I do not know. But it was a thunder-storm for rivals. Even in the late sixties, when Igor already and speed lost former, and time on a platform carried out less usual — at each its emergence on ice only and the instructions of the trainer of competing team were heard: "All attention to Chistovsky! "
But the center forward up to the end remained is true to native "Torpedo" therefore and in the national team on serious competitions it did not call. Having become the trainer, found in one of teams "Gold washer" of future Olympic champions Vladimir Kovin and Alexander Skvortsov. And pupils went further the teacher, achieved high titles and ranks. Some years Chistovsky headed native club, became the honored trainer of RSFSR.
Victor Konovalenko
Source: