TRAKTOR vs. SPARTAK – 3:2. Press-conference after the match

Valery Belousov, Traktor head coach:
It was a very interesting match. It is this kind of a match where the intestinal fortitude of teams is tested. We scored in twice on the power play tonight, which pretty much got us a victory.

Fedor Kanareykin, Spartak head coach:
Congratulations to Traktor. I was really eager to see how my team would fare after the disaster Nizhnekamsk. I should say that I liked tonight's motivation. I would also say that foreign players decided the game. Of course I am talking about Kontiola.

Question to Belousov: Why did you decide to switch to three lines toward the end of the third?
Belousov: They played fine tonight except that they allowed one of two Spartak goals, so we decided to keep them on the bench them just in case.

Question to Kanareykin: Please evaluate the performance of Deron Quint.
Kanareykin: You know him better than I do, but from what I have learned after working six months with him, he is a great individual and a great player, one of the best foreigners in the league in my opinion.

Question to Belousov: Did you like the team's defensive performance?
Belousov: I actually did, but we still have work to do in this department, like more tight play in the neutral zone.

Question to Belousov: Is Darzins 100% yet?
Belousov: No, but he will be tomorrow (audience laughs).