Press Conference «Avangard – Neftekhimik» 3/26/2026
26.03.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 4–3 (OT 2) over Avangard.
– Today's game was a little different from last time; it was tighter, more viscous. Last time, there were more scoring chances. Today, Avangard played more decisively, and we tried to make fewer mistakes. I don't know what the fans liked more: that game or this one—that one was more dynamic, this one is closer to the playoffs. Overall, the guys did a great job not giving up. After a poor third period, when we allowed two goals, we went on the attack and tied the game. And then we held on—well done, we found our moment and scored.– What did you say to the team in the third period, when we conceded a goal?
– We're always positive on the bench. This is a game– we let one go, and we let one go. The guys were also encouraging each other, saying there was time to make a comeback. Everyone came out with the attitude that the game wasn't lost yet.
– Both overtimes seemed to start with a request to be patient, to let Avangard show their skills, and then to find mistakes and take advantage of them. Is that true?
– Naturally, in the first overtime, Avangard had the advantage for most of the time. They're a very skilled team, they created chances, and our guys were patient. But by the end of the first overtime, it probably made a difference that we had a lot of young guys with more energy left. We started creating chances. The second overtime started out much the same way, but fortunately, it didn't reach the halfway point—Andrey did a great job taking advantage of his opportunity."
– From the very first seconds, there were a lot of provocations, attempts to get under our skin, and I thought Neftekhimik did the same. Was the plan to immediately signal that it was a war, a playoff game?
– No, actually, the guys were just so determined to fight, to struggle. Midway through the first period, I started telling the bench that we're not playing a fight, we're playing hockey – enough, let's play hockey.
– Ivan Nikolishin couldn't finish the game. is he injured?
– Ivan suffered a lower – body injury. He tried to come on in overtime, but he felt he couldn't help the team. He stayed on the bench, with the team until the end. The doctor said the injury doesn't look like anything serious, and we hope he'll be ready for the next game.
