2012/2013 Playoffs. Game 1, Avangard vs. Traktor – 0:5. Press-conference after the match

Valery Belousov, Traktor’s head coach:
First let me take this opportunity to congratulate the ladies with International Women’s Day. As far as the game goes, Traktor was very disciplined and focused; three power play goals in a playoff game is very impressive. Congratulations on the victory to my team.

Petri Matikainen, Avangard’s head coach:
We just couldn’t get us going tonight; game 7 against Sibir affected us a lot. We had a slow start tonight, gave up a couple of goals and tried to battle back into the game. We had some chances, especially in the second period, to get the goal and to get the rhythm back, but couldn’t do it. All in all, it’s only 1:0 in the series, and there’s a new day and game #2 tomorrow.

Question to Belousov: How do Nichushkin’s ‘feats’ ginger up other Traktor’s players?
Belousov: I don’t know about gingering up, but Valery’s constantly evolving. He scored his typical goal tonight, good for him!

Question to Belousov: During this year’s playoffs Kuznetsov doesn’t look as impressive as usual. Did you congratulate him on his goal tonight to maybe boost his confidence a little?
Belousov: Kuznetsov is still Kuznetsov, and I think that despite severe criticism that he’s enduring at the moment, he’s going to be of more use for Traktor. He’s a great player after all.

Question to Matikainen: Prior to the match Avangard’s coaching staff said that the team would have a different strategy for the game. Quite frankly, this fact went virtually unnoticed. Could you clarify what changes you made to Avangard’s strategy?
Matikainen: Every game is different, and you do little things here and there; but it doesn’t matter what the tactics is – you have to have focus on the game, and the rest will follow. Somehow we were lacking in this department tonight. Once again, tonight’s game is history; tomorrow is the next match, and we will try to come up with something to pick up the win because winning is what matters.

Question to Matikainen: In tomorrow’s game are you going to give a chance to the players who are currently off the line-up, like Reizvikh, for example?
Matikainen: I am not sure yet, I will have to think about it.

Question to Matikainen: Avangard’s power play hasn’t been working properly so far. What are you going to do with it?
Matikainen: I need to think about too; but like I said before, it’s not always about strategy and system – you have to have your head in the game.