Damir Shayakhmetov: «I think that we played well»
18.08.2026
Reaktor goaltender Damir Shayakhmetov speaks with the media after a following 3–2 overtime win over Avto.
– Everyone was on their toes and fighting. After two losses, the guys understood the importance of this game. Even though it was preseason, every game plays out like a game. I think that we played well.– Did you just join the team yesterday?
– Yeah, I arrived in the evening and rested. It is better to get some sleep and come back refreshed than to play after a long journey. I trained with the first team in Nizhnekamsk, so arriving late did not affect the game.
– Today you saved the puck from the goal line. What can you say about that save?
– I saw the puck in my peripheral vision and made a play with my stick. It was all instinct – the first task was to keep it out of the net and save the team.
– Was it nerve-wracking in overtime?
– Not nerve – wracking. Two points were at stake – it was either them or us. I did everything I could to catch the puck. The Hockey God saw us and rewarded us Gizya scored a great goal, and we won!
– What about goals that you conceded?
– The first one – hit the pads, thought I'd blocked it, but I looked and saw the puck in the net. The second one – deflected off one of my teammates. A bit unlucky. But that's hockey.
