Andrey Nikolishin: we have to right the wrongs in next games

Andrey Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
Congratulations to Lada on a well-deserved victory. As far as Traktor is concerned, we will analyze our mistakes. It was a quick расе game. Lada plays on a smaller rink where all the technical flaws of players come to light. At least now we know who can play where and who cannot. There are still games going forward, so we need to right all the wrongs.

Sergey Svetlov, Lada head coach:
I am very satisfied with tonight’s performance by my team. Goals were good, and the team was in a good mood. It’s also always tough to play the same opponent for two straight games, but we were motivated, and I think it was a very good home game.

Question to Svetlov: It was a great series. What was the key thing behind this success: motivation, luck or much better psychological condition of players?
Svetlov: All of the above. There was not a single game where we completely folded or gave up. All the games we play are close, and it’s often goal that decides those games. Hard work pays, and the team is becoming more confident. However, we can’t rest on our laurels and need to move forward. Right now my players are feeling are pretty good, and we have to keep it up.

Question to Svetlov: How did you manage to make all the four lines pretty much equal?
Svetlov: When the season began, we did not have a chance to sign the stars, so we had to take young guns on the roster. We can now see that all the lines are actually equally matched, and it’s great to see that. I don’t even have to make special power play and penalty killing lines. We don’t do that good in PP sometimes, but the team is relatively young, and I trust them. They are finding their A-game,albeit via mistakes. We don’t score too much, but we are developing as a team. I think we will be scoring more in the nearest future.

Question to Svetlov: Please comment on the status of injured players.
Svetlov: Podhradsky underwent successful surgery. I think he will start training in three or four weeks or so. Mastryukov has already begun training. Sloboda underwent X-ray, and in a couple days the doctors are either going to clear him or not. He is feeling well, so I think he might begin to train with a lighter regimen tomorrow.

Question to Nikolishin: Marat Fakhrutdinov’s debut in Traktor was not a successful one. Do you regret signing him?
Nikolishin: Absolutely not. It’s hockey, things like these happen. We sincerely want him to succeed.

Question to Nikolishin: How would you evaluate the future of Lada?
Nikolishin: We only played two head-to-head matches (three – translator’s note), and it’s too early to jump to conclusions. However, it already shows that this team has guts, all of its four lines are equally matched, the goaltender is always in the zone. All in all, I think Lada has a great future.