Marsel Garipov: «I scored first goal and got a special wristwatch»

11.07.2020

Marsel Garipov scored a first puck of «Neftekhimik» in the elite of Russian hockey. On September 7, 1995 he scored in the game against «SKA» from St. Petersburg.

- Marsel, do you remember the atmosphere in the team before the first game?

- We had our practice facilities in Almetyevsk. Our hockey arena in Nizhnekamsk was not ready. In Almetyevsk we played against our fist rivals. We were a little bit nervous before the game against «SKA». After first faceoff, we felt good.

- Did you and your teammates think about scoring a first goal of the team?

- We did not think about scoring a first goal. Our fans came from Nizhnekamsk by bus and we wanted to show our best hockey. The game was tied- 2:2. Unfortunately, «SKA» scored in the OT.

I was lucky to score first goal.

-Do you remember how it happened?

- I am not sure ... perhaps, Azat Vafin made a pass from the left side of the rink and I shot from the middle.

- Did you get an extra-money for the scored goal?

- I scored first goal and got a wristwatch. I keep it at home as an expensive gift.

- What are your memories from playing with «Neftekhimik»?

- Yeah, we were lucky enough to be the first guys who played there. We had an excellent managment, coaches like Gennady Sergeyev, Nikolai Solovyov. Despite the fact that I am from Kazan, I am happy that I was a part of that team from Nizhnekamsk.

- If I'm not mistaken, Viktor Tikhonov invited you to play with «CSKA»?

- Yeah, legendary coach Viktor Tikhonov invited me. I played there for three months on loan. Then «Neftekhimik» called me to be back.

- Where did you play after that?

- I played in Almetyevsk with «Neftyanik» team. I played there until 2001.

- What are you doing now?

- I have some business. I am a coach of non-professional team. This work gives me a lot of positive.

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