Playoffs. Match #2, Traktor vs. Barys – 3:5. Press-conference after the match

Vladimir Krikunov, Barys’ head coach:
We understood perfectly that Traktor was going to attack a lot from the get-go, that’s why we tried to stick to counterattacks. Nigel Dawes had a brilliant match. Our defensemen didn’t make too many mistakes; everyone scratched and clawed to get this very important win. Congratulations to all of my boys.

Valery Belousov, Traktor’s head coach:
We should have played the whole game like we have in the third period. Even though the score was 2:5, I told my players that we had a chance in the third period. We were close to saving the game and had ton of moments, but Yeremeyev played a great match. Unfortunately for us, neither Fokin nor Garnett could say this was a good game for them.

Question to Belousov: How does it happen that the team with so many experienced veterans is led by a seventeen year-old rookie?
Belousov: There are players that show master skills at such tender age. Training sessions, tryouts – it was all worth it; now we have a guy who already looks like a star and has a great future ahead of him. Others tried their hard tonight, but…

Question to Belousov: Traktor seems to be much ‘heavier’ than in the last matches of the regular season? Is it the pressure of the playoffs, Barys’ showing or something else?
Belousov: First I have to give credit to Barys; they played a very good match, focusing on the defense and saturating the neutral zone. It was very difficult for us to get through. As for my team, puck control was off for two periods, very few shots were taken. The only period that we dominated in was the third one, but the mistakes ruined the game. A goalkeeper like Garnett can’t allow goals like these.

Question to Belousov: Is there any explanation for first line’s lackluster performance in these two matches?
Belousov: It’s been seven games already, seven games for them without a single goal.

Question to Belousov: With that being said, are you going to make any changes to the first line?
Belousov: Changing the first line means breaking one of other lines; they just need to score.

Question to Belousov: Is there any stopping Barys’ North American line?
Belousov: You see, Barys has a leading line that brings the result. Our leader is Valery Nichushkin.