Oleg Leontyev: «If we continue to play this way, then everything will be fine»

Neftekhimik head coach Oleg Leontyev speaks with the media after a following 2–3 overtime loss against Dynamo Moscow.

– We fought well against one of the leaders. We did not concede a goal being shorthanded against the KHL Power Play leader. Overall, we played well in the end and blocked a lot of shots. We could have scored in overtime – we had a 1-on-0 opportunity.

It was a good game. If we continue to play this way, then everything will be fine.

I would also like to wish the fans a Happy New Year. Thank you for your great support!

– During Sokolov’s 1-on-0 attempt, Tikhomirov skated to the bench. Was there an idea to play 4-on-3 hockey?

– Yes, when we have the possession of the puck, the idea was to have an extra player in order to minimize the risk of losing the puck. We did this in the preseason.

– Jean-Sébastien Dea played as a winger instead of being center forward.

– He played as a center forward quite a bit. This is not his position. I watched the AHL games of the last season and the season before last, and personally talked with Dea.

– What about Ilya Khokhlov’s injury?

– I think that Ilya is out until the end of the season.

– Will there be any trades?

– There will definitely be no trades. We need fighters ourselves, but there is no one on the market. We were offered one foreign defenseman. You know, while visas and paperwork is done, he will arrive in February. What is the point of doing this? Of course, I would like to strengthen our team, but... I think that the players that we have are good and ready to fight. I am sure they can do what we have in mind.

– Andrei Tikhomirov played both games. Is everything okay with Filipp Dolganov?

– He is good. Filipp just had a lot of work to do. He played plenty of games. Andrei should also play and help the team to win. When a team has two goaltenders of the same level, that is good.

Alexei Kudashov, head coach of Dynamo Moscow:

– I think the fans liked the game. It was a fast-paced game with plenty of physical battles and scoring chances.

We did not play the right way in the first period. We talked to the guys and fixed some mistakes. Neftekhimik played well defensively and used counterattacks. It was clear that the team was ready to fight.

At the same time, I want to thank our players. We found a way to win. We blocked a lot of shots. The guys did their best.