Andrei Kuzmenko: "I am more focused on getting to the net this season"

HC SKA forward Andrei Kuzmenko:

- It was a great match, Spartak played really well. We focused too much on defence during the third period, our guys on the penalty kill gave us this victory. We're now looking forward to playing CSKA Moscow at home, it should be a good game.

- Your goal was fantastic. Did you take a risk with that move because of the fact that SKA were leading 3:1 at the time?

- I always play in the same manner, regardless of the score. My style of ice hockey is based on taking risks and beating players 1-on-1. Anton Burdasov and Joonas Kemppainen created that goal for me, it was a nice play which we put together.

- You love to display lots of technical skill during games. Do you work on this aspect during training sessions?

- Of course, I am always working on all elements of ice hockey. I stay behind after training sessions to improve my skills, you always have to try new things against different opponents.

- It's been a fantastic season for you so far. Are you continuing to grow in confidence?

- Yes, and I want to achieve more every season. Every player has his own personal goals, and one of them is to always record more points. A big factor for me is my line with Burdasov and Kemppainen, we all help each other and have excellent mutual understanding. Furthermore, if one of us can't play for some reason, then the other two help the player who has joined the line. We communicate well and all feel confident.

- As a consequence of the NHL perhaps not travelling to the Olympic Games, you might have the chance to compete at the tournament.

- I'm not thinking about that yet. Overall, I am a person who simply likes to think about tomorrow without jumping further ahead. It's easier to live like that. During the season, I'm only focusing on each individual match. Unfortunately, due to being ill with the flu, I couldn't represent the Russian national team at the Euro Hockey Tour. I would like to thank our doctors for helping me, I had spent six days with a high temperature. At the moment, I am only thinking about SKA.

- How do you feel physically after being ill last week?

- To be honest, I struggled a bit during the third period. I will be ready for the next game, though, it's a really important one.

- This season, you seem to be more focused on getting to the net. Is that true?

- Yes, you are right. I have worked hard on improving my shot and finishing plays. Sometimes, I am too focused on making a pass to my teammate instead of taking the shot myself. Valeri Bragin is always telling me that I haven't realised my potential yet, he noted that I have to start shooting more often.

- Moreover, you aren't getting stuck in the corners of the rink anymore.

- That was an issue for me in previous years. When I was 18 and 19 years of age, my teammates used to tell me that instead of beating the same player for skill five times, I need to skate to the net and create a scoring chance. Thanks to our coaching staff, I have stopped making unnecessary skill moves and I'm more focused on getting to the net.

- You have already set a personal KHL scoring record.

- This gives me more motivation to continue working hard during training sessions, I can see that my hard work is paying off. I want to work even harder!