Press Conference «Salavat Yulaev – Neftekhimik» 3/18/2026
18.03.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 0–3 loss against Salavat Yulaev.
– It might sound strange with the score 0-3, but I really can't say our team played poorly. We moved well, were even faster than our opponents at times, and created a lot of scoring chances. But unfortunately, our finishing against Ufa hasn't worked at all this season. And in the penultimate game of the season, it didn't work at all. So, of course, it's hard to explain why this is happening, but that's how it is.– All the pairings in the East have been determined; you probably already know who you'll be playing against. Are you ready to get a win for sure?
– If we play like we did today and have so many chances, I think our scoring skill will do its best. Sooner or later. We'll see.
– Do you have a plan in place against such a wealthy club?
– The plan is to come home, rest for a day, then practice, and then go there and start the series there.
– Are you going to talk to Nadvorny at all?
– I already talked to him right during the break.
– Is he alive (laughing)?
– Yes, of course, barely alive, barely alive, but alive. Well, I certainly don't approve of such things; I don't like it.
– Dinar Khafizullin missed the game today. Why?
– Dinar has an injury, actually. He came out in the last game to see how he'd feel. We talked to him during the warm-up today. It's clear we need to take care of the guys a little before the playoffs. We decided not to take any risks and give him a chance to recover further, so he didn't play today.
