Press Conference «Traktor– Neftekhimik» 9/19/2025
19.09.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 2–3 loss against Traktor.
– It was a good and fast–paced game with plenty of scoring chances at both nets. The home team looked more skilled at taking advantage of it. We need to show more skill. Our power play is pretty good, but unfortunately, we do not score more goals at even strength. The game was tense on both sides: in some places, the home team had more scoring chances, while in others, we seized the initiative. The home team was more persistent today. Congratulations on the victory!
– Did you have any déjà vu?
– Well, I guess when you play the same team against in a short period of time, theyare generally similar. The opponents study each other and understand each other's play style. We need to score more goals. It all depends on who scores more. If Tochilkin had scored, everything would have turned out differently. Although the home team had more chances, I do notdeny that.
– You lost both games in the third period. In Nizhnekamsk, you were leading and then lost. Is this mental or physical problem?
– It is definitely not physicality. The guys played well. It is most likely a psychological issue. The team still lacks the maturity and self–confidence to dictate the game. We are adapting a little to the opponent's play. I would like to be the one dictating the game, but that does not always work. The guys need to improve, specifically psychologically. We work on this all the time, always saying that psychology is very important in hockey. You have to go out there confident that you can beat any opponent. I guess there is still a fear of making mistakes lurking in the back of your mind. And if you are afraid of making mistakes, those same mistakes happen. Like, for example, with the third goal: we told them not to lose the puck at the blue line, but the guys lost it, the opponent attacked and scored. So I think it is all about psychology.
– Did you have any déjà vu?
– Well, I guess when you play the same team against in a short period of time, theyare generally similar. The opponents study each other and understand each other's play style. We need to score more goals. It all depends on who scores more. If Tochilkin had scored, everything would have turned out differently. Although the home team had more chances, I do notdeny that.
– You lost both games in the third period. In Nizhnekamsk, you were leading and then lost. Is this mental or physical problem?
– It is definitely not physicality. The guys played well. It is most likely a psychological issue. The team still lacks the maturity and self–confidence to dictate the game. We are adapting a little to the opponent's play. I would like to be the one dictating the game, but that does not always work. The guys need to improve, specifically psychologically. We work on this all the time, always saying that psychology is very important in hockey. You have to go out there confident that you can beat any opponent. I guess there is still a fear of making mistakes lurking in the back of your mind. And if you are afraid of making mistakes, those same mistakes happen. Like, for example, with the third goal: we told them not to lose the puck at the blue line, but the guys lost it, the opponent attacked and scored. So I think it is all about psychology.
