Those fortunate enough to see Anatoly Vasilievich in action report that they often did not see the puck's flight after his shots. No one wanted to get in its way, and goalies sometimes dodged to avoid physical injury. There were precedents: once, after a Firsiov snap shot, the helmet of the "Krylia Sovetov" goalie Sidelnikov cracked, and he was sent into a deep knockout. Anatoly Firsiov played for "Spartak" and CSKA, where, in the country's main hockey club, he was a favorite of Anatoly Tarasov. The coach noted that Firsiov's play was made up of three speeds: thought, technique, and movement. If an opponent could combat one of these, their combination left no chance. Speed, multiplied by physical power and a fighter's character, made the hockey player invincible. He was also distinguished by a constant "hockey hunger" and incredible diligence in training. Anatoly Vasilievich is one of the six hockey players from the USSR who won three Olympic golds. He also holds the record for the most goals scored at this prestigious tournament, totaling 18. The highlight of Firsiov's career was the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, where he scored 12 goals and made 4 assists. The forward won the World Championship 8 times. In the USSR championships, he scored 346 goals in 474 matches and was named the country's best hockey player three times. The forward was the first in the USSR to use the "stick-skate-stick" feint, with which he surpassed opponents stunned by what was happening, and he perfected it to such an automatism that many current stars cannot replicate. He was the first to use a stick with a curved hook. Initially, this was subject to ridicule, but not for long. That is, Firsiov was always at the forefront of hockey thought in our country, far ahead of his time. Unfortunately, Anatoly Vasilievich passed away early, at the age of 59. He did not survive his wife's death, with whom he had lived in a happy marriage for 40 years. And he died of a heart attack three months after her.