Andrei Nikolishin: hard to comment when so many chances are not converted
Nikolai Solovyov, Metallurg Novokuznetsk head coach:
- Well, since my team won tonight, it could be said that they somewhat fulfilled the game plan. Of course, we were lucky at times, and our goalie was solid as well. It’s great that we got the victory; it should give a young team such as ourselves a boost of confidence going forward.
Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- Unlike my colleague, I am obviously not happy. As far as I remember, tonight we took some 50 shots on goal. It’s really hard to comment on it when we did not convert so many chances.
Question to Nikolishin: What is happening with Traktor?
Nikolishin: I don’t know. All I can say is tonight I saw the desire to win.
Question to Nikolishin: You said that Yakutsenya was under heavy pressure, but after ten games he is still underwhelming. What is going on?
Nikolishin: It’s really hard to explain. I don’t think even he himself knows what is happening with him.
Question to Nikolishin: Traktor once again allowed a crease goal. Does the team train this aspect of the game?
Nikolishin: Not one, but two goals actually. Interestingly enough, this is not the way we do things at training sessions. I can’t explain why the D-man did not block the shot when Metallurg scored their third goal; I can’t explain why we allow taking a shot from near the boards and not try to poke the stick away.
Question to Nikolishin: Don’t you think the coaching staff lost control over the team?
Nikolishin: No, I don’t.
Question to Solovyov: Did you expect tonight’s result?
Solovyov: I think Mr. Nikolishin would agree that every coach wants the best performance and victory from the team. But it does not always happen because there is always the other team who also wants to win. Tonight we scored two quick goals, our opponents failed to capitalize on a ton of scoring chances; again, our goaltender was on his A-game. Kaprizov’s game-winning goal was also scored with a little bit of luck involved. Most importantly though, the team listens to what the coaching staff has to say. Our goaltending coach Viktor Demchenko has been doing great job with two young goalies, Kareyev and Podyapolsky. We believe in them, and they keep living up to our expectations. Despite two goals that we allowed in shorthanded play, we will keep doing the same thing.
Question to Nikolishin: Why has Glinkin been off the lineup recently?
Nikolishin: He makes too many mistakes, even though we keep pointing at these mistakes. He often gives the puck away, and this leads to counterattacks and allowed goals.
Question to Nikolishin: What’s next for Traktor? When will we see wins? What does the team have to do to start winning?
Nikolishin: What do we have to do…that’s a good question. I don’t know any other way to get victories but to keep working our butts off.
- Well, since my team won tonight, it could be said that they somewhat fulfilled the game plan. Of course, we were lucky at times, and our goalie was solid as well. It’s great that we got the victory; it should give a young team such as ourselves a boost of confidence going forward.
Andrei Nikolishin, Traktor head coach:
- Unlike my colleague, I am obviously not happy. As far as I remember, tonight we took some 50 shots on goal. It’s really hard to comment on it when we did not convert so many chances.
Question to Nikolishin: What is happening with Traktor?
Nikolishin: I don’t know. All I can say is tonight I saw the desire to win.
Question to Nikolishin: You said that Yakutsenya was under heavy pressure, but after ten games he is still underwhelming. What is going on?
Nikolishin: It’s really hard to explain. I don’t think even he himself knows what is happening with him.
Question to Nikolishin: Traktor once again allowed a crease goal. Does the team train this aspect of the game?
Nikolishin: Not one, but two goals actually. Interestingly enough, this is not the way we do things at training sessions. I can’t explain why the D-man did not block the shot when Metallurg scored their third goal; I can’t explain why we allow taking a shot from near the boards and not try to poke the stick away.
Question to Nikolishin: Don’t you think the coaching staff lost control over the team?
Nikolishin: No, I don’t.
Question to Solovyov: Did you expect tonight’s result?
Solovyov: I think Mr. Nikolishin would agree that every coach wants the best performance and victory from the team. But it does not always happen because there is always the other team who also wants to win. Tonight we scored two quick goals, our opponents failed to capitalize on a ton of scoring chances; again, our goaltender was on his A-game. Kaprizov’s game-winning goal was also scored with a little bit of luck involved. Most importantly though, the team listens to what the coaching staff has to say. Our goaltending coach Viktor Demchenko has been doing great job with two young goalies, Kareyev and Podyapolsky. We believe in them, and they keep living up to our expectations. Despite two goals that we allowed in shorthanded play, we will keep doing the same thing.
Question to Nikolishin: Why has Glinkin been off the lineup recently?
Nikolishin: He makes too many mistakes, even though we keep pointing at these mistakes. He often gives the puck away, and this leads to counterattacks and allowed goals.
Question to Nikolishin: What’s next for Traktor? When will we see wins? What does the team have to do to start winning?
Nikolishin: What do we have to do…that’s a good question. I don’t know any other way to get victories but to keep working our butts off.
