Russia ice-hockey head coach Vladimir Krikunov has acclaimed the virtues of at least three shots of vodka as a remedy for post-game stress.

"Three shots of vodka after every game. It's a must," Krikunov told the Sovietsky Sport newspaper. "It does the trick for me. Then after three shots if I feel like I want some more, I'll drink more."

Krikunov, 55, guided Belarus to a surprise fourth-place finish at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. He now hopes to lead Russia to their first Olympic gold since 1992.

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