Andrei Nikolishin: five points out of twelve is not what we were looking for

Yerlan Sagymbayev, Barys head coach:
- Congratulations to Traktor and to Andrei personally on tonight’s win. We underperformed in the first period, allowing a relatively quick goal. Even though Traktor increased the lead in the second, we finally got things going for us. As far as the third period is concerned, it was back and forth. We managed to pull one back but could not bring the game to OT.

Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- I want to thank Yerlan for his congratulatory words. Unfortunately, our performance in the first three games did not bring the sellout crowd to the stands tonight. Those who were in attendance are true fans of the team. Back to the game; it was a fun back-and-forth affair. Finally, we managed to take the lead; this was the game plan – to score the first goal of the game. Stats say when we open the score, we usually take these games. Once again, many scoring chances were missed; that has recently become one of our biggest problem. Of course, credit goes to Jan Laco. However, Vasya Demchenko was also solid tonight.

Question to Nikolishin: How did the team manage to neutralize Barys’ North American line?
Nikolishin: At team meetings, the coaching staff explained how this line usually plays. It’s no secret that Dawes-Boyd-Bochensky line has consistently been one of KHL’s best for several years and also Barys’ leading line. I cannot reveal how we managed to nullify their efforts, but thankfully we did, and that’s all that matters.

Question to Nikolishin: Yakutsenya and Chistov are on the goal drought. Is there an explanation for this?
Nikolishin: Did you see how they tried to hit the empty net tonight instead of keeping the puck? I think the explanation lies in the fact that there is enormous pressure on the team, both from us coaches and the fans. I also believe that they need to relax a little, and things will go smoothly from then on.

Question to Nikolishin: Rybakov is team’s best G+A player of this home series. Are you surprised?
Nikolishin: It’s quite unexpected, but at the same time I'm happy for him. We talked with him several times about what he should do to correct his game. He was angry at first, but then realized what the problem was and started working his butt off to overcome it, and here we are.

Question to Sagymbayev: Does Barys always use not too many hits?
Nikolishin: Huh? Davydov was damn near close to getting on the injured list. Are you kidding me?
Sagymbayev: I disagree with the question. I think we make a lot of checks throughout the game.

Question to Sagymbayev: Your attitude towards recent happenings regarding Belorussian and Kazakh players?
Sagymbayev: I am totally against the decision to make them foreign players.

Question to Nikolishin: Sergei Gomolyako said it is the coaching staff that has to make a decision regarding Alexandre Bolduc. Have you made this decision?
Nikolishin: Yes, we have.

Question to Nikolishin: Traktor’s got the first win, but when will the quality of the play catch up?
Nikolishin: I for one believe that we play quality hockey. Could you explain what you want to see from Traktor? I think that everything that we planned to see from the team, we are seeing it. Statistics can prove it.

Question to Nikolishin: Are you satisfied with tonight’s performance by Pestunov?
Nikolishin: I am never one hundred percent satisfied with anyone’s performance, but Pestunov played pretty well, connecting Ruzicka and Yakutsenya during the power play.

Question to Nikolishin: Why hasn’t he played before?
Nikolishin: There are objective reasons for that.

Question to Nikolishin: Will Bolduc and Klimontov appear in the next games? 
Nikolishin: It depends solely on them. Those who perform well at training sessions eventually land a spot on the lineup.

Question to Nikolishin: Traktor has to play four more games in 10 days. How would you evaluate team’s physical condition before the upcoming tough away series?
Nikolishin: Well, each team is in the exact same conditions. Look at Barys, for instance; they also have to travel a lot. Every team is ready for the season, just look at the pace of the game! Not even close to what you call ‘summer hockey’.

Question to Nikolishin: Please summarize this home series.
Nikolishin: Five points out of twelve is not the result we have been looking for. Regarding building the team, I would say there are positive tendencies. Most of the players who are expected to be the leaders of the team understand that, but it’s still psychologically hard. Take Osnovin, for example; he was 20 last year, and now suddenly everyone expects him to carry the team on his shoulders. You have got to understand that this is very tough.