Oleg Leontyev: «This is the first game»
15.08.2024
Neftekhimik head coach Oleg Leontyev commented on the opening match of the tournament in Ufa against Avtomobilist (4:1).
- Preseason training has begun. How would you rate the first stage, the first game? An immediate confident victory over Avtomobilist.- Avtomobilist did not play with its fighting lineup, this does not detract from the merits of our team. We are preparing for the season, practicing our tactical schemes, playing according to instructions. That is why today many things worked out, but some things did not work out. This is the first game, that's how it turned out, this is summer hockey.
- Is it important for you to always play with the same lineup? Today we saw Avtomobilist's second lineup. And is your fundamental goal to always win. To practice combinations or some other?
- We used to play with the same lineup. In my time. When I was a hockey player. Maybe there were fewer games before than now. All the guys are professionals, well prepared, everyone has athletic endurance, I think it will be fine. We still have seven people for rotation, so tomorrow you will see other people.
- I want to ask you about the new rule that the KHL announced today - if you change the goalie to a fourth field goalie in overtime and miss, then you have zero points. What do you think about this?
- I am categorically against this rule, because you played the match for 60 minutes, earned one scoring point. Why should it be removed? We can play in overtime with two or four players.
- And have you practiced or would you like to practice 4 on 3 in overtime during the preseason?
- I think that in overtime, when you have the puck, you have a better chance of not letting in a goal. And to play 4 on 3 from the beginning of overtime - you need to have the highest skill, although we have such guys in our league.
- Profaka, apparently, got injured today?
- Something with the knee, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we will know how serious the injury is.
- Today there were two goals at the start of the second period of the second and third. Did you somehow draw the attention of your players so that they would start actively?
- This is hockey. As the experts said, hockey is the most unpredictable of all sports. It just happened.
- Evaluate the play of your team's newcomers.
- Not bad in the first matches. The return on the training process is not bad, we will see. What will happen next.
- Should we expect any more new signings?
- Unlikely. Due to the budget, we used it.
- Today, an amazing moment happened in the first period. Phil Dolganov was sent off twice in 17 seconds. Is it the notorious Ufa gates that keep sliding down or another reason?
- Ufa has a great arena, there is nothing notorious. It's probably just that Phil's emotions got the better of him, he could have suddenly rush towards the post. No complaints about the goal or the arena.
- What are Khoruzhev's chances of making the starting lineup this season?
- Nikita is improving greatly, I like his progress, I like the way he works. And he's a decent guy. So he has a chance, I can't say how big or average it is. Everyone has a chance to gain a foothold, our bench isn't that long. The young ones, everyone you saw today, are in the front ranks of the lineup to make the team.
