PRESS CONFERENCE «CSKA – NEFTEKHIMIK» 01/05/2022

Press conference «CSKA – Neftekhimik»

Oleg Leontyev, the head coach of HC Neftekhimik:

– CSKA is a top team. It's a pleasure to play when all the fans in the stands. It's nice to see the way our team showed its character. We got 1 point, although e could have won, but the puck hit the post. It is great that we got this point because we have some injuries, the guys blocked a lot of shots. The dedication that showed our guys is unbelievable. I am proud of our guys. We are getting ready for the next game.

– It seemed that your team was not ready for CSKA’ move with an-extra player in the overtime?

– We were ready for that move. Our defensman was a little confused. He could score, but we got an icing. I will ask him why he decided to do it in that way.

– In the first period, Neftekhimik outshot CSKA. Was it a coaching staff’ task to spend more time on attack?

– We do scouting so we know each opponent and find our own options and tactics. We always play interesting hockey. At least we try to play aggressive hockey. It is interesting for the players as well as for the fans. It's more spectacular. We must play hockey that brings joy to the fans

– How did you manage to breath life into Vyacheslav Leshchenko’ career?

– Aparently, there is a good aura in our locker room. The guys feel comfortable. Not only Vyacheslav, but also other guys who are getting better and better. We are happy that Slava (Vyacheslav) manages to score goals, that he becomes the leader of the team. He had good potential. He had a great season 2–3 years ago. The hockey player has skill and it has not gone anywhere. Now it's just a kind of fresh start.

Sergei Fedorov, the head coach of HC CSKA:

– It was a tense game for us. I guess it might be said that we spent some energy and emotions in the game against Avangard. Neftekhimik is a fast team. They play good hockey. We were worried about only one thing: is it possible for us, after game against Avangard, to keep the tempo that Neftekhimik played today . They had an advantage in the first period but in the second we played better and in the third we played in a right way. We had good goal-scoring chances. I would like to congratulate our guys on a victory.