Alexander Volkov: "Two strong teams competed against each other"

HC SKA forward Alexander Volkov:

- It was like a playoff match today, two strong teams competed against each other. Yes, we lost our advantage during the third period, but we coped with the challenge and won the game.

- You have scored your first senior SKA goal.

- I'm happy about this, I had felt the pressure a bit as a result of not scoring earlier.

- SKA celebrated its 75th anniversary today. Did the coaches focus on this at all?

- This is an important day for both Saint Petersburg and Russian ice hockey overall, we had a lot of motivation! The coaches did speak about this. After the game, we congratulated each other with an important victory against a major opponent, there are only a couple of points separating us.

- Did you mention the fact that the NHL won't participate in the 2022 Olympic Games?

- This is a decision which has been made by the NHL, all of us are working hard and are waiting for our chance. None of us spoke about this during today's game.

- Have you spoken with Nikita Kucherov about this situation?

- No, but maybe we will have a conversation in the coming days. I think that everyone is upset, all Russian players always dream of playing at the Olympics. I don't think that everyone in the NHL is satisfied with that decision.