Press Conference «Metallurg Mg – Neftekhimik» 9/20/2026
20.09.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 2–6 loss against Metallurg Mg.
– There is not much to say. From the second period onwards, the two teams on the ice were clearly at different levels.
– It is clear that Metallurg Mg adjusted their game during the intermission, cutting out the risky plays your team had capitalized on. What exactly stopped working for your guys?
– Two quick goals – resulting from our players failing to execute properly – made the rest of the team tense up. The opponent controlled possession for two periods. We were just dumping the puck out; we could not hold onto it. And you cannot play without the puck.
– At the opening face-off, your team was leading the Eastern Conference. How does that square with the players getting the jitters? You seemed to have started the season with confidence.
– There are so many factors and nuances involved... It is not just about psychology; physical conditioning plays a role too. It seems our functional fitness is not quite right at the moment. After all, our team does not have a huge number of highly skilled players who can rely on pure talent to get the job done. We usually succeed because our players are in good shape – moving well and skating hard. That is what allows us to play aggressively. If we slip even slightly out of peak physical condition, we lack the skill and self-confidence to compensate.
– It is clear that Metallurg Mg adjusted their game during the intermission, cutting out the risky plays your team had capitalized on. What exactly stopped working for your guys?
– Two quick goals – resulting from our players failing to execute properly – made the rest of the team tense up. The opponent controlled possession for two periods. We were just dumping the puck out; we could not hold onto it. And you cannot play without the puck.
– At the opening face-off, your team was leading the Eastern Conference. How does that square with the players getting the jitters? You seemed to have started the season with confidence.
– There are so many factors and nuances involved... It is not just about psychology; physical conditioning plays a role too. It seems our functional fitness is not quite right at the moment. After all, our team does not have a huge number of highly skilled players who can rely on pure talent to get the job done. We usually succeed because our players are in good shape – moving well and skating hard. That is what allows us to play aggressively. If we slip even slightly out of peak physical condition, we lack the skill and self-confidence to compensate.
