Avangard vs. Traktor, 3:1. Postgame press conference

Anvar Gatiyatulin, Traktor head coach:
- It was our fourth straight road game, and we played these four games with almost the same lineup. More – we realized completely that we were up against one of the league leaders, and we prepared accordingly. However, we are not robots, and fatigue took its toll. All of this led to defensive lapses and allowed goals; plus, we did not convert many scoring chances that we had.

Vladimir Semenov, Avangard assistant coach:
- Tonight’s game was an interesting one, both for players and the fans. Both Avangard and Traktor had a lot of chances to score. During the first twenty, two teams were waiting for mistakes of one another; during the second period, we managed to score two quick goals. Then, we were just able to hang on to the lead.

Question to Semenov: How did you communicate with head coach Fyodor Kanareikin before and during the game?
Semenov: He was in the locker room during the intermissions.

Question to Semenov: Did he correct something?
Semenov: Of course he did.

Question to Gatiyatulin: Does it make a difference for your team to be fourth or fifth in the East after the regular season is over?
Gatiyatulin: Our main objective is get into the playoffs. Of course, the higher we will be the better.

Question to Gatiyatulin: In the last seven (ten – translator’s note) games Traktor lost only twice. What is the reason behind that? Is your team on a roll?
Gatiyatulin: We thoroughly prepare for every opponent. I would also like to note the atmosphere in the team and the professionalism of my players. Every one of them treats training sessions and regular season games seriously, that is why we are where we are now.

Question to Semenov: Before this game, you could not count on the injured Sobotka and Pyanov. With that said, did you think Makhanovsky and Menshchikov, who replaced them, perform well tonight?
Semenov: It was tough for them, but they did their job.