Viktor Andreichenko: «My main focus was to find my rhythm early, play simple»
14.08.2026
Neftekhimik forward Viktor Andreichenkon speaks with the media after a following 2–1 win over Ak Bars.
– To be honest – when I first stepped onto the ice and saw the full stands, I got chills. Seriously, I have never played in front of a crowd like that before.Maybe that's part of why I enjoyed this one so much – the energy was just incredible.
Not going to lie, I had some butterflies before puck drop. First game with a new team, and on top of that, it's Ak Bars in Kazan – you cannot get a tougher debut. My main focus was to find my rhythm early, play simple, and start contributing from the very first shift. Whether I pulled that off – I will let the coaches and the fans to judge.
All in all, it was a hell of a game between two really skilled teams. I'd heard a lot about the Tatarstan derby, and now I got to live it – even if it was just a preseason matchup, I'm so glad I was part of it.
