Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Lokomotiv» 9/14/2025
14.09.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 5–4 overtime win over Lokomotiv.
– Of course, after such a victory, we have only great emotions! Not the best start in our performance – we conceded two quick goals, and the third was in our goal, but it was disallowed. Fortunately, then we scored on the power play, this gave the guys confidence. We were active in the opponent's zone, we were not going to return to defense.
I will note that we played against Lokomotiv in the preseason tournament. This helped us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Since today we achieved a positive result, it means that we managed to analyze the opponent well.
– Today, the special teams played well. In your opinion, was this the key moment of the game?
– Of course! In modern hockey, the power play and penalty killing decide a lot. Maxim Aleksandrovich Krivonozhkin (Neftekhimik Coach) studies the game for special units. The guys perceive our requirements well, and their skill level is high enough to score on the power play. We are introducing our own system of playing on the power play, trying to play actively. We have scored on the power play four times – this is solid.
– Why did you change the goalie after the fourth conceded goal?
– In principle, Yaroslav played well. But there are games when a player is frankly unlucky. It seems that the goalie is playing well, but some unpleasant rebounds spoil the picture. Therefore, after the fourth conceded goal, we decided to change Yaroslav. I will note Filipp: he played reliably and kept us in the game.
– Seleznyov will miss the second game. What is the reason for this?
– Grigory was injured last season. As I understand it, this injury does not allow him to play at 100 percent now. He is training, he is our closest reserve. It is difficult to say when he will return.
– When will we see Khoruzhev?
– We are waiting for him ourselves and hope that after the away series he will start training. Then we will see when we can use him.
Lokomotiv Head Coach Bob Hartley:
– Congratulations to our opponent on a well–deserved victory. We are not in optimal shape yet – not enough concentration, which is why we conceded a lot of goals and earn penalties. Our opponent played great on the power play, which is why they won.
I will note that we played against Lokomotiv in the preseason tournament. This helped us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Since today we achieved a positive result, it means that we managed to analyze the opponent well.
– Today, the special teams played well. In your opinion, was this the key moment of the game?
– Of course! In modern hockey, the power play and penalty killing decide a lot. Maxim Aleksandrovich Krivonozhkin (Neftekhimik Coach) studies the game for special units. The guys perceive our requirements well, and their skill level is high enough to score on the power play. We are introducing our own system of playing on the power play, trying to play actively. We have scored on the power play four times – this is solid.
– Why did you change the goalie after the fourth conceded goal?
– In principle, Yaroslav played well. But there are games when a player is frankly unlucky. It seems that the goalie is playing well, but some unpleasant rebounds spoil the picture. Therefore, after the fourth conceded goal, we decided to change Yaroslav. I will note Filipp: he played reliably and kept us in the game.
– Seleznyov will miss the second game. What is the reason for this?
– Grigory was injured last season. As I understand it, this injury does not allow him to play at 100 percent now. He is training, he is our closest reserve. It is difficult to say when he will return.
– When will we see Khoruzhev?
– We are waiting for him ourselves and hope that after the away series he will start training. Then we will see when we can use him.
Lokomotiv Head Coach Bob Hartley:
– Congratulations to our opponent on a well–deserved victory. We are not in optimal shape yet – not enough concentration, which is why we conceded a lot of goals and earn penalties. Our opponent played great on the power play, which is why they won.
