Press conference after SKA defeated Admiral in Saint Petersburg

HC SKA head coach Igor Larionov:

“First and foremost, I would like to congratulate everyone with qualifying for the playoffs! In terms of this game, then we knew it would be difficult after our emotional victory against CSKA. Furthermore, it’s always tough facing a team which already has no chance of making the knockouts. The main thing is that we earned two points, and we have to give credit to the efforts of Artemiy Pleshkov and all of our skaters.”

Playoff qualification…

“We don’t want to be satisfied with just qualifying for the playoffs. This hasn’t been an easy season, but you should always be positive and believe in achieving success. We have had to make difficult decisions along the way. Yes, we’ve had challenges, but we must continue believing in our players.”

Sergei Plotnikov playing as a centre forward…

“Extreme situations require unusual solutions! We’ve lost a number of centre forwards due to injury. If a player is playing in that position, he should be able to compete intelligently and rationally. We took the decision to give that role to one of our most experienced players. As a centre forward, you should track back in defence, help the defensemen play as a united unit and make everyone around you better. Sergei is doing his job excellently.”

Injuries to Pavel Koledov and Vladislav Romanov…

“Hopefully, Pavel will be able to return in a couple of weeks’ time. Vladislav should return in early March too.”

Discussions in Milan…

“I don’t want to compare our conversations to the ones which took place in Geneva and Abu Dhabi! However, we can’t speak about what was said. I can say, though, that our discussions were constructive and positive. We remain a member of the global hockey family. I have no doubt that in a couple of months’ time, you will hear official statements from those with whom we spoke. Nikita Stenichkin and Igor Zakharkin were also present at the discussions.”

HC Admiral Vladivostok head coach Oleg Bratash:

“Despite the result, I liked our performance. The quality of our play was good, but we committed poor mistakes which resulted in Saint Petersburg scoring. And, unfortunately, we failed to convert the several chances which we managed to create.”

Finding motivation for the remainder of the campaign…

“This is the most difficult aspect of the situation which we find ourselves in. At this moment in time, we’re building our team with next season in mind. The main motivation for our players is earning their spots in our side for the 2026/2027 campaign.”

Conceding in the first minute of the first and second periods…

“Those goals were conceded due to individual mistakes. Was Ivan Kulbakov’s view blocked for Brennan Menell’s goal? No, I don’t think it was.”