Anvar Gatiyatulin: we wanted to give our fans gift for New Year

Milos Riha, Slovan head coach:
- A tough matchup. We were not as good as in the previous one against Neftekhimik but were able to hang on. We had plenty of penalties, but our goalie looked really good tonight. When it was time for the shootouts, we showed off our skills. Four points in two away games is a very good result. I would also like to wish everyone a happy New Year. Not only to those who are involved in hockey – to all the people in Russia.

Anvar Gatiyatulin, interim Traktor head coach:
- First off, I also want to wish everyone a happy new year. Now, to the game itself; we wanted to send our fans home happy, but our inability to convert scoring chances reared its ugly head. We pay a lot of attention to power play, but on the ice, something is amiss. Here is hoping we will be a little bit luckier in 2016 and gradually climb into the playoffs.

Question to Gatiyatulin: What is it about Traktor’s love to overtimes and shootouts?
Gatiyatulin: It is just a coincidence. Believe me, everyone on the team wants to finish games in regulation time. We will pay even more attention to this aspect of the game going forward.

Question to Gatiyatulin: Deron Quint said the best New Year gift would be Traktor getting into the playoffs…
Gatiyatulin: I agree with Deron. We will do our best to be there in February.