Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Metallurg Mg» 12/5/2025
05.12.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 2–1 overtime over Metallurg Mg.
– Before the game, we were asked about our scoring, given that our previous games had been high–scoring ones. We thought there might be a lot of goals today, too… But both teams played really tight. Overall, it was an interesting game, very interesting, meaningful, and with some scoring chances. It is kind of well–executed game. One team played well, the other team played well too, played great defense. The goalies played great as well. Overall, we scored, we were luckier, and we won in overtime.– Metallurg Mg Head Coah noted that they had a terrible first period. Were you prepared for the fact that after the emotional game in Yekaterinburg, their performance might not be the same?
– No, we were not prepared for that. We have had emotional games too, although they were quite a while ago. We did not think that they might be less ready for today's game. We were preparing specifically for them, for how they might play in general. I think that we found the key to success. Maybe that is why they did not have a great first period.
– Alexander Dergachyov scored the game–winning goal. How important was it for the captain?
– I think that it was very important, because he had not played much, basically, recovering and getting treatment. He has been making a lot of impact on the ice right now, but he has not had much impact in recent games–only assists. Today he scored the game–winning goal, I think, it will give him more energy and strength.
Metallurg Mg Head Coach Andrei Razin:
– We had a terrible first period. The team was not mentally ready. It is a shame it turned out that way... that is it. We played well in the second and third periods, tied the game up... well, in overtime there was a back and forth, we were not lucky.
– In compare with previous games between these teams, today we did not see many goals. Why?
– Well, the goaltenders played well.
