Andrei Nikolishin: tonight’s game was a run-through of playoffs
Zinetula
Bilyaletdinov, Ak Bars head coach:
- I think tonight’s game was the one that everyone liked. Both teams put on great performances, but there were no goals for a while. Unfortunately, we allowed that goal during shorthanded play, but bounced back until the regulation time expired. As far as the shootouts go, we executed most of them poorly, hence the result of this game.
Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- First of all, I would like to thank everyone in attendance here tonight. The support of our fanbase was off the charts tonight, and it’s always great to play when the fans are so vocal. Tonight’s game was a run-through of playoffs, if you will; games against Ak Bars are always a huge test, and I would like to thank my boys for passing this test with flying colors. It was a very tight game; we were able to get a first PP goal in the last three games, which is great. Ak Bars completely dominated in the second period strategy-wise; we have to work out some sort of antidote for this. All in all, it’s great to be victorious on home ice when the playoffs are so close.
Question to Nikolishin: Has Garnett recovered from the flu? Was it flu or something else?
Nikolishin: Yes, it really was flu. He got sick after the Magnitka game. Michael wanted to play tonight; he loves going out there in games like tonight’s. We also wanted to put Demchenko in the net for the shootouts, but Michael himself told us to keep him around for the shootout lottery.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Do you think it’s objective to crown the Russian champion after the regular season is over?
Bilyaletdinov: I’ll tell you this – CSKA deserved this honor. They have had a great season thus far.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Don’t you think that the Gagarin Cup is somehow devalued by this?
Bilyaletdinov: No, I don’t. Foreign teams also take part in the Gagarin Cup playoffs, so it’s more valuable.
Question to both coaches: Predictions rarely come to life, but still – who’s the favorite to win the Cup this year?
Nikolishin: Traktor (smiles).
Bilyaletdinov: I think there are currently a lot of teams who can be considered the favorites: CSKA, Dynamo, Magnitka, Traktor, Ak Bars. It’s really hard to know what to expect from each team.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Reason behind Medvedev’s absence?
Bilyaletdinov: Medvedev is currently injured.
Question to Nikolishin: Getting back to the fans – some of Traktor fans from sector A have been detained for disorderly behavior, or simply put, for shouting too loudly…
Nikolishin: We are happy when we hear the fans who support us vocally. I don’t know about this incident, but I want to ask this – don’t fans go to the arena to shout? If this is the way they show us their support, so be it; they just have to be careful and should not throw anything on the ice.
- I think tonight’s game was the one that everyone liked. Both teams put on great performances, but there were no goals for a while. Unfortunately, we allowed that goal during shorthanded play, but bounced back until the regulation time expired. As far as the shootouts go, we executed most of them poorly, hence the result of this game.
Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- First of all, I would like to thank everyone in attendance here tonight. The support of our fanbase was off the charts tonight, and it’s always great to play when the fans are so vocal. Tonight’s game was a run-through of playoffs, if you will; games against Ak Bars are always a huge test, and I would like to thank my boys for passing this test with flying colors. It was a very tight game; we were able to get a first PP goal in the last three games, which is great. Ak Bars completely dominated in the second period strategy-wise; we have to work out some sort of antidote for this. All in all, it’s great to be victorious on home ice when the playoffs are so close.
Question to Nikolishin: Has Garnett recovered from the flu? Was it flu or something else?
Nikolishin: Yes, it really was flu. He got sick after the Magnitka game. Michael wanted to play tonight; he loves going out there in games like tonight’s. We also wanted to put Demchenko in the net for the shootouts, but Michael himself told us to keep him around for the shootout lottery.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Do you think it’s objective to crown the Russian champion after the regular season is over?
Bilyaletdinov: I’ll tell you this – CSKA deserved this honor. They have had a great season thus far.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Don’t you think that the Gagarin Cup is somehow devalued by this?
Bilyaletdinov: No, I don’t. Foreign teams also take part in the Gagarin Cup playoffs, so it’s more valuable.
Question to both coaches: Predictions rarely come to life, but still – who’s the favorite to win the Cup this year?
Nikolishin: Traktor (smiles).
Bilyaletdinov: I think there are currently a lot of teams who can be considered the favorites: CSKA, Dynamo, Magnitka, Traktor, Ak Bars. It’s really hard to know what to expect from each team.
Question to Bilyaletdinov: Reason behind Medvedev’s absence?
Bilyaletdinov: Medvedev is currently injured.
Question to Nikolishin: Getting back to the fans – some of Traktor fans from sector A have been detained for disorderly behavior, or simply put, for shouting too loudly…
Nikolishin: We are happy when we hear the fans who support us vocally. I don’t know about this incident, but I want to ask this – don’t fans go to the arena to shout? If this is the way they show us their support, so be it; they just have to be careful and should not throw anything on the ice.
