Karri Kivi: we absolutely needed this victory
Karri
Kivi, Traktor head coach:
Another tough game for Traktor. Nonetheless, in a tough game with a tough opponent we scored a victory. I hope it will boost the confidence of the players, and they are going to show their A-game. I would especially like to commend Vlad Fokin on stellar performance tonight. He was mentally ready to appear tonight, and he is a clear MVP of Traktor. Osnovin’s line was once again really good too; they are getting better by the game.
Artis Abols, Dinamo Riga head coach:
It was a long and tough game with shootout training in the end (laughs). Seriously though, we had plenty of chances to win and, at the same time, lose. Our power play was bad, but shorthanded play was decent, especially at the end of third when we caught two consecutive penalties. We hung on, but unfortunately, Traktor was just better in the shootouts. For the third straight game we try to get a point here and there, but when you get only one, you want more. Anyhow, moving on to the next game, I guess.
Question to Kivi: What is your rationale behind putting Vlad Fokin in the nets?
Kivi: After a string of good matches Vlad was on the downswing, if you will. He allowed four goals against SKA and was replaced. However, I have a hunch on things like these, and I felt that this game could be another chance for Fokin. And I was right – he was stellar tonight! Furthermore, the Osnovin line which is fourth on paper played for a whopping13 minutes. If they keep it up, they will be playing even more.
Question to Kivi: One D spot was vacant tonight while Vasilchenko, Klimontov and Katichev were absent from the lineup. Why?
Kivi: Vasilchenko and Klimontov are injured, Katichev got a fever.
Question to Abols: Who do you think lost the shootouts tonight – the goalie or the forwards?
Abols: I don’t have any problems with goaltender’s performance. Perhaps it was the shooters who lost it – we had ten attempts and scored only twice.
Question to Abols: Darzins has not missed three in a row before…
Abols: There is a first time for everything, and, unfortunately, he has tonight. Perhaps Darzins wanted to impress Chelyabinsk crowd or something.
Question to Kivi: Don’t you think Traktor is not in ideal physical shape?
Kivi: No, I don’t think so. I mean, we are on our way, but side factors like psychological pressure do not allow the players to feel completely at ease on the ice. Let’s take the last two periods against SKA – decent ice movement, decent physical condition, but no luck. My team has to understand one thing – the energy of the home crowd should fuel them and make them get as much excitement from the game as possible. We still have tons of work to do in this respect.
Question to Kivi: Today Vladimir Krechin was ousted by Sergei Gomolyako, the new First Vice President of Traktor. Did you talk to him? If you did, how is this going to influence the team?
Kivi: Yes, we had a talk right after the game was over. Tomorrow we will start working in close cooperation.
Another tough game for Traktor. Nonetheless, in a tough game with a tough opponent we scored a victory. I hope it will boost the confidence of the players, and they are going to show their A-game. I would especially like to commend Vlad Fokin on stellar performance tonight. He was mentally ready to appear tonight, and he is a clear MVP of Traktor. Osnovin’s line was once again really good too; they are getting better by the game.
Artis Abols, Dinamo Riga head coach:
It was a long and tough game with shootout training in the end (laughs). Seriously though, we had plenty of chances to win and, at the same time, lose. Our power play was bad, but shorthanded play was decent, especially at the end of third when we caught two consecutive penalties. We hung on, but unfortunately, Traktor was just better in the shootouts. For the third straight game we try to get a point here and there, but when you get only one, you want more. Anyhow, moving on to the next game, I guess.
Question to Kivi: What is your rationale behind putting Vlad Fokin in the nets?
Kivi: After a string of good matches Vlad was on the downswing, if you will. He allowed four goals against SKA and was replaced. However, I have a hunch on things like these, and I felt that this game could be another chance for Fokin. And I was right – he was stellar tonight! Furthermore, the Osnovin line which is fourth on paper played for a whopping13 minutes. If they keep it up, they will be playing even more.
Question to Kivi: One D spot was vacant tonight while Vasilchenko, Klimontov and Katichev were absent from the lineup. Why?
Kivi: Vasilchenko and Klimontov are injured, Katichev got a fever.
Question to Abols: Who do you think lost the shootouts tonight – the goalie or the forwards?
Abols: I don’t have any problems with goaltender’s performance. Perhaps it was the shooters who lost it – we had ten attempts and scored only twice.
Question to Abols: Darzins has not missed three in a row before…
Abols: There is a first time for everything, and, unfortunately, he has tonight. Perhaps Darzins wanted to impress Chelyabinsk crowd or something.
Question to Kivi: Don’t you think Traktor is not in ideal physical shape?
Kivi: No, I don’t think so. I mean, we are on our way, but side factors like psychological pressure do not allow the players to feel completely at ease on the ice. Let’s take the last two periods against SKA – decent ice movement, decent physical condition, but no luck. My team has to understand one thing – the energy of the home crowd should fuel them and make them get as much excitement from the game as possible. We still have tons of work to do in this respect.
Question to Kivi: Today Vladimir Krechin was ousted by Sergei Gomolyako, the new First Vice President of Traktor. Did you talk to him? If you did, how is this going to influence the team?
Kivi: Yes, we had a talk right after the game was over. Tomorrow we will start working in close cooperation.
