Vityaz vs. Traktor 2:3. Press-conference after the match

Valery Belousov, Traktor’s head coach:

We began the first period well, scored twice and had a comfortable lead heading into the second. During the break I told my players that they should not repose on their laurels; Vityaz is a very resilient team, they play until the very end, and that was exactly how it played out. It’s great that we managed to win not in overtime or penalty shootouts; three points is way better for us now.

Yury Leonov, Vityaz’s head coach:
Traktor deserved a win tonight. As for our team, first period was terrible; however, we fared way better in the second; the third one was just a nailbiter; it seemed as if the one who would commit the first mistake would lose. Unfortunately, it turned out to be Vityaz this time.

Question to Belousov: Why did you move Kuznetsov to the second line in the third period?
Belousov: We switched to three lines because not all of our forwards were feeling well. In the end, that proved to be a good decision.

Question to Leonov: Why was Vityaz ‘sleeping’ in the first period? Could it be weak motivation?
Leonov: We usually do not begin our matches that way. Plus, you cannot be weakly motivated for a team like Traktor. If you are talking about emotions, I believe each and every player has to be emotionally charged by themselves; I cannot get into everyone’s head. Players have to be enthusiastic for the game, you cannot coach that. Too bad it did not quite happen tonight.