Press conference after SKA hosted Avtomobilist

HC SKA head coach Andrei Razin:

"If we take into account that we only had one training session before this game, then we can say I'm satisfied with the performance. We attacked more, unleashed plenty of shots and moved through the neutral zone well. Furthermore, I thought we were solid in positional defence as well. However, there are issues concerning turnovers at neutral ice and losing the battles."

Preparation for this game...

"We're starting from scratch with our own brand of ice hockey. We barely had any time in which to analyse Avtomobilist, but we had expected them to focus more on defence. Unfortunately, when they began to play with the initiative in the third period, we simply weren't ready. This will change in the future.

"In terms of our display, we swung the puck well, protected it effectively but didn't turn the screw enough. Our pressure should have resulted in the opponents taking penalties."

Artyom Vilchinsky's and German Suzdorf's KHL debuts...

"I really liked how German played. He was initially supposed to be our 13th forward, but our plans changed after Nikolai Goldobin picked up an injury. German did well considering it was his first game at this stadium, and the same can be said for Artyom, too. Neither of them looked out of place."

How many SKA games he has analysed...

"None. What's the point? The players were given different instructions then, whereas we have our own style of ice hockey. We showed the guys how Magnitogorsk played with me as head coach. 

"By the way, I would like to thank Avtomobilist and personally Alexei Kudashov for allowing them to fly with them here to Saint Petersburg! Everything happened really quickly. My two assistants, Vladimir Vorobyov and Evgeny Mikhalkevich, will arrive here tomorrow."

HC Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg head coach Alexei Kudashov:

"It was an even game which could have gone either way. Did SKA surprise us? No; we knew how Andrei Razin was going to set his team up. We understood the quality which SKA have and their desire to prove themselves. When a new coach comes in, players always compete with more hunger and commitment. They just need more time to adapt to the new demands."