Kivi: I am glad I defeated Matikainen

Karri Kivi, Traktor head coach:
Our goal now is to get victories. Tonight was a tough game, Garnett returned to the nets as well. We had many doubts as to how he would fare, but he saved Traktor many times and was named MVP of the game. It’s also a big day for me because I defeated Petri Matikainen, a man from whom I had learned a lot back in Finland.

Petri Matikainen, Slovan head coach:
A very stinging defeat. We played really well tonight and looked like a real team, but… I am very disappointed with how tonight’s game ended, but I still see the progress of my team.

Question to Kivi: Karri, you finally have defeated a Finnish coach.
Kivi: I knew you were going to ask this. I have said that I don’t like Finnish coaches, but not Matikainen (smiles).
Matikainen: You’ve got no chance in the future against me (smiles).

Question to Kivi: Kostitsyn and Abdullin are both on waivers draft. What isnext forthese players?
Kivi: This is one of the things I have never commented on and I never will. Sergei Gomolyako, First Vice President of the team, has this under control and definitely can comment on this situation.

Question to Matikainen: You stood behind the players for the majority of this game, but only when things got out of hand, you stepped forward. Why?
Matikainen: This is my style. I don’t think there is a difference between where the head coach is on the bench during the game. I did what I thought was best at the moment.