Andrei Nikolishin: we enter playoffs in a good mood

Anatoli Yemelin, Avtomobilist head coach:
- Congratulations to Traktor on this victory. It would be great if they could go as far as they possibly can. As far as we are concerned, we also have some preparatory work to do before the playoffs.

Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- I think everyone is happy tonight – the arena was packed to the rafters, many Yekaterinburg fans, a fun game with overtime and shootouts…just everything a hockey game can offer and then some. Good luck to both teams in the playoffs. We are entering the postseason in a great mood.

Question to Nikolishin: Great mood, you say, but how about the fact that there is a vacant spot on the lineup for two straight games while D-man Atyushov is playing as center?
Nikolishin: That’s great, isn’t it?

Question to Nikolishin: Will Popov and Piganovich regain their spot on the lineup?
Nikolishin: They will, if they prove that they deserve it.

Question to Nikolishin: Have they recovered already?
Nikolishin: Both are healthy and will reappear on the ice if they prove they deserve it. That’s how we roll.

Question to Yemelin: Please explain your decision to bench Jakub Kovar.
Yemelin: I wanted to give him some rest.
Nikolishin: The guy has not missed a single game this season.

Question to Nikolishin: Has Traktor been following the results in other games?
Nikolishin: We found out the scored in the Ufa game after the second period, but it did not affect our game plan in the very least. I will repeat myself – we have not been ‘choosing’ our first playoffs opponent. We don’t even know how to do this.

Question to Nikolishin: Odds against Traktor beating Sibir?
Nikolishin: I think each team that made it to the playoffs has a 50:50 chance against their opponents.