Anvar Gatiyatulin: little things were key in this equal hockey game
Anvar Gatiyatulin, Traktor head coach:
It was an equally matched hockey game where little things had a key impact on the result. Two Salavat counterattacks led to two goals. My boys created a lot of scoring chances but, unfortunately, did not convert them.
Igor Zakharkin, Salavat Yulaev head coach:
In tonight’s game, our leaders showed why exactly they are leaders. The most important thing from tonight was that the team learned how to keep the favorable result.
Question to Zakharkin: Is there going to be any new acquisitions, and what about the sidelined players?
Zakharkin: It is still a very tricky question. I know that the injured guys are trying their best to get better as soon as possible, but sometimes the nature takes its toll. No one wants injury relapses, therefore it is important that they rehab thoroughly. As far as the new players, we are constantly seeking them out.
Question to Zakharkin: What are the odds that Andrei Gavrilov becomes the solid number one goaltender?
Zakharkin: I think that any coach would like to think that his team has a very good goaltending team. Andrei Gavrilov had a great series of games, and I believe he is now up there with Niklas Svedberg. In fact, I still believe that Svedberg is a very good goaltender, and we should start putting him in the net soon. Then, we are going to have to decide who the better of the two is.
Question to Zakharkin: Could you please comment on the rumors about a quality foreign center forward who Salavat is trying to get? Also, how long will Engqvist’s rehab take?
Zakharkin: I will answer the second question first – I don’t know when he is going to be back. As far as those rumors go, yes, we are looking for a center because our faceoffs win percentage has gone down since a wing forward often has to play at a faceoff point.
Question to Gatiyatulin: Why was Igor Mirnov absent from the lineup?
Gatiyatulin: We didn’t like his recent performance and decided to give him a day off.
It was an equally matched hockey game where little things had a key impact on the result. Two Salavat counterattacks led to two goals. My boys created a lot of scoring chances but, unfortunately, did not convert them.
Igor Zakharkin, Salavat Yulaev head coach:
In tonight’s game, our leaders showed why exactly they are leaders. The most important thing from tonight was that the team learned how to keep the favorable result.
Question to Zakharkin: Is there going to be any new acquisitions, and what about the sidelined players?
Zakharkin: It is still a very tricky question. I know that the injured guys are trying their best to get better as soon as possible, but sometimes the nature takes its toll. No one wants injury relapses, therefore it is important that they rehab thoroughly. As far as the new players, we are constantly seeking them out.
Question to Zakharkin: What are the odds that Andrei Gavrilov becomes the solid number one goaltender?
Zakharkin: I think that any coach would like to think that his team has a very good goaltending team. Andrei Gavrilov had a great series of games, and I believe he is now up there with Niklas Svedberg. In fact, I still believe that Svedberg is a very good goaltender, and we should start putting him in the net soon. Then, we are going to have to decide who the better of the two is.
Question to Zakharkin: Could you please comment on the rumors about a quality foreign center forward who Salavat is trying to get? Also, how long will Engqvist’s rehab take?
Zakharkin: I will answer the second question first – I don’t know when he is going to be back. As far as those rumors go, yes, we are looking for a center because our faceoffs win percentage has gone down since a wing forward often has to play at a faceoff point.
Question to Gatiyatulin: Why was Igor Mirnov absent from the lineup?
Gatiyatulin: We didn’t like his recent performance and decided to give him a day off.
