Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Metallurg Mg» 10/23/2025
23.10.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 5–3 win over Metallurg Mg.
– We have played two games against the same opponent. The last game was discouraging for us, especially the first two periods. After that, we worked on our mistakes and analyzed every moment. Today, we tried to play much more strictly, and the guys followed our instructions. The result was a good win. The players must understand that patience and hard work will overcome everything.– Despite the win, was there anything you did not like?
– First of all, it is unnecessary penalties we took. We were penalized twice outside of game, and the opponent punished us. I hope the guys will learn from that.
– How did you recover mentally after the loss in Magnitogorsk?
– We always try to keep the players in good shape. Everyone understands that it is impossible to win all the time. You just have to get over the losses, work on your mistakes, and focus on the next game. Of course, you cannot forget these losses; you need to analyze this game.
– You scored 11 goals against Metallurg in two games, but conceded 13. What outweighed that?
– Today we tried to play better defensively, focusing on counterattacks. In the last game, our opponent punished us for our open hockey. But then there were both tactical and technical errors. That is probably more why we lost. After the road game, we were thinking about how to beat such a skilled team. We paid attention to the opponent's power play and their tactics in general. Yes, that is not quite our nature. But sometimes you have to adjust.
– Today, our opponent's third defensive pair got –3. Did you pay attention to that?
– Honestly, I do not look at the opponent's stats. You have to pay attention to your own team's play. Of course, you can see the skill of their players. That is something you pay attention to.
