Traktor vs. Metallurg Novokuznetsk - 5:1. Press-conference after the match

Valery Belousov, Traktor head coach:
Even though we played well on the defensive end and scored a handful of goals, we still have work to do. The line composition is not final and, as they say, subject to change. What I certainly liked about tonight's game was the right motivation.

Aleksandr Kitov, Metallurg head coach:
First of all I would like to congratulate Traktor and Valery Belousov personally on tonight's victory. Second of all - I can't say we played bad; it was an equal matchup for two thirds of it, but the deciding factor was the individual level or Traktor players. We will try to correct the mistakes we still have.

Question to Belousov: Tonight Traktor had a line consisting of only center forwards. How would you rate their performance?
Belousov: We had to make at least three strong lines in case we would have to switch to three lines towards the end of the game. Fortunately, it turned out we didn't need to, plus the fourth line played a really good game tonight.

Question to Belousov: Speaking of the fourth line - are you impressed with their performance?
Belousov: Like I said - they played a good game, kept control of the puck when they needed to. However, I wouldn't judge after a single match if I were you. We will see if they keep doing what they did tonight.

Question to Belousov: Were there any special preparation after such a sizeable hiatus?
Belousov: Not much, except maybe our little relocation to Yunost Sports Palace. All we had to do was get our head together, forget the mistakes we made and prepare for the next matchup.