Anvar Gatiyatulin: we had few scoring chances

Anvar Gatiyatulin, Traktor head coach:
This was a tough one; we had few scoring chances throughout the game. It could have swung either way. It’s great that we managed to turn this game around and win in the shootouts.

Alexei Yarushkin, acting Spartak head coach:
We had a mediocre first period, then scored early in the second and tried to keep the result we needed. Turns out one goal is not enough to win hockey games.

Question to both coaches: Both teams had a mediocre game, with plenty of turnovers and unused scoring chances. Why?

Yarushkin: We are cornered and need points to get into the playoffs, that is why we focus more on the defense. Sometimes, I even tell my players in the locker room that one goal differential win is enough, because it still gives us three points. This may be the reason why our games have become less exciting lately.
Gatiyatulin: We were somewhat cautious, and Spartak was good defensively.

Question to Gatiyatulin: Traktor foreign players have been underwhelming throughout the season. My question is specifically about Ryan Vesce.
Gatiyatulin: First of all, I would not say they have been underwhelming. We signed Ryan to be one of the team’s leaders, but he has been underdelivering for a while, that is why he was left out from this away series. We wanted Derek Roy back in the summer but were unable to strike a deal, and he is currently doing everything we expected from him.

Question to Yarushkin: Did you think about switching to three lines closer to the end of the game in order to keep the needed result?
Yarushkin: No. Our fourth line has Bobrov and Potapov on it; these guys appear on the ice in shorthanded play, so I did not think it would make sense because they know how to play in the defense.

Question to Yarushkin: Any comments on the debut of Yuri Sergiyenko? What is his function?
Yarushkin: His function is defense, because he is a defenseman (laughs). In all seriousness, he played well and was not nervous at all.

Question to Yarushkin: There are 8 D-men on your team’s roster. Don’t you want to switch to 8+12 instead of 7+13 and bring Yaroslav Dyblenko back?
Yarushkin: I’ve actually talked to our D-men, and they said they are more comfortable playing in three pairs because they are always in the game and do not get ‘cold’ sitting on the bench. So, we are going to continue playing like that – three pairs and a 7th defenseman.