Andrei Nikolishin: game was swift paced

Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- It was an equally fought matchup, and a swift paced one too. Salavat Yulaev is a very skilled team with a lot of skilled players. All we had to counter that tonight was tremendous desire to win and strict sticking to the game plan. It was also important not to lose the power game. We had our mistakes; though, it’s great we got lucky in the shootouts. I would like to thank Salavat for a great game.

Vladimir Yurzinov, Salavat Yulaev head coach:
- I would like to personally congratulate Andrei on Traktor’s victory. He said it right – it was a great game of equal opponents with plenty of chances from both sides. I can’t criticize my team for lack of desire or guts, but we can’t convert many of our chances. After we tied the game, we had several great chances on goal, but did not utilize them properly. So, we have to settle for one point.

Question to Nikolishin: After being put on waivers, Ruzicka appeared tonight and looked good. What do youthink?
Nikolishin: Building a team is not an overnight thing – we still keep the objective of getting into playoffs in mind. Ruzicka being absent in a few games is the part of this process, the part of team building. Thankfully, he returned tonight with a clean head and did everything we want him to do, including score one of the shootouts that got Traktor the victory tonight.

Question to Nikolishin: It seemed as though Traktor was a lot heavier physical shape-wise in second and third periods. Is ittrue?
Nikolishin: Every KHL team is under enormous pressure now. We don’t give the players additional training or anything – tough schedule does the trick. Therefore, I think that this slowdown of the pace only has to do with packed schedule.

Question to Yurzinov: Why did you choose Zubarev for the shootouts?
Yurzinov: I always pick the shooters based on who executes these shots well during the training sessions. Plus, Makarov whom I often choose for the shootouts got injured, so I had to pick Zubarev.

Question to Yurzinov: You have changed the lines throughout the game. Have you been able to find a successful combination that could outlive tonight’s game?
Yurzinov: Every game is unique, and we always try to get better. Tonight the team on the whole played well; however, one has to score shootouts and not let them in.

Photo by Salavat Yulaev Press Office