Igor Larionov speaks after competing in Chelyabinsk

HC SKA head coach Igor Larionov:

"It's always nice to be in Chelyabinsk, a city which loves ice hockey and has produced some fantastic players. If I'm going to be honest, this wasn't our best performance at all. We initially started well, but then our game disappeared. We spoke about this in the dressing room. Nevertheless, I would like to give credit to Traktor who converted their opportunities and deservedly won."

Thoughts switching to the playoffs...

"The most important thing for us right now is the process. We want to display high-quality ice hockey, with our players giving their all. We'll soon find out who we will face in the first round of the playoffs; we're not looking at the standings and picking opponents."

Large bench...

"It takes up a lot of space which could have been used for extra seating. After all, it would be a fantastic experience for the fans to sit directly behind the benches! I have already suggested this idea to the KHL, but no one supported it."