Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Avangard» 01/22/2023

Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Avangard» 01/22/2023

Oleg Leontyev, head coach of HC Neftekhimik:

– The guys did a great job. We played in a right way. Congratulations to all on a victory! I would like to thank our fans for their great support. Our goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov played well and kept us in the game. We will have a rest and get ready for the next game.

– Kizimov played instead of Shafigullin. Why did you make this change?

– Shafigullin underwent appendicectomy. I do not know how much time he will not play. It is a pity. Bulat has just reached the top of his condition. Leshchenko is also a little sick. I hope that he will be ready to go on the ice in the next game. Sure, we are like other teams trying to find the best combinations. Kizimov is improving from game to game.

– Neftekhimik was better in winning faceoffs in the first and third periods, and lost in the second...

– Corban Knight has a very high face-off winning percentage. Our three centers have more than 50 percent of wins. That is what happened in this game. We are working on it during practices.

– Can we say that this game was kind of a duel of goaltenders?

– It is a duel of teams. Today both goaltenders were on top. The teams had great scoring opportunities, but both goaltenders did their job for 100 percent.

Mikhail Kravets, the head coach of HC Avangard:

– Before the game we told to our guys that Neftekhimik was on hot streak. They confidently beat Salavat Yulaev. Moreover, they are battling for making playoffs. Unfortunately, we made mistakes that cost us two points.