Press Conference «Admiral – Neftekhimik» 3/5/2026
05.03.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 3–7 loss against Admiral.
– We obviously really wanted to play well offensively, made a lot of mistakes on defense, and our opponent punished us for it. Congratulations to Admiral.– We conceded two goals in a row on three power plays, despite the fact that Neftekhimik having one of the best pk units in the league.
– Some of our penalty-killing players couldn't play. And our opponent made good plays, shot, and hit the net.
– This isn't the first time the team has found itself in this situation this season. But here, at least in terms of the score, we can recall the game in Magnitogorsk: there was six goals difference but Neftekhimik did something incredible in the third period.
– During the second intermission, we told the guys: let's forget about the score, let's go out there and start the game from the very beginning. We tried to do something. Unfortunately, we managed two score only at the late stage of this game. It's good that we at least scored a couple of goals at the end – that's a positive for us right now.
– If we're still looking for positives, what could such a "cold shower" bring to the team?
– Right now, right after the game, we didn't try to escalate anything too serious. The guys are going to the gym and recovering a bit. I think we'll talk tomorrow. It happens in different ways: someone might pull themselves together and play a better game. It might put pressure on someone else. We'll try not to let this score put psychological pressure on the guys. It doesn't matter whether we lose 3-7 or 3-4.
– If we take the games in Kazan and Magnitogorsk, those were somehow too far from the end of the regular season, and now we're at the very edge of the playoff race. Here, on the one hand, there's the pressure of four consecutive losses, and on the other, this extra responsibility—won't it have an impact?
– I don't think so. We actually have some guys from the starting lineup who are injured. Naturally, we miss them, seriously. I think they'll play as they recover, and then the psychological situation will improve. I don't think anything like that happened. Yes, it's a shame. We'll try to change something for the next game.
