Dinamo Minsk - SKA. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Vyacheslav Bykov:

- I congratulate the hosts with the win. The game was interesting, tense, and just like a play-off match, especially as we are both in the same division. I liked how our team performed today, however we should have played more confidently in attack sometimes. Dinamo were better in the shootout.

- How did Ilya Kovalchuk's absence affect the team today?

- You always miss your captain, especially when your captain is a player like Ilya. But I don't think that only one player not taking part should destabilize the team. The guys coped with their task, and Dmitry Kalinin was a good captain. Of course Ilya is a great player, but him not playing isn't a reason to cry.

HC Dinamo Minsk head coach Lyubomir Pokovic:

- I agree that the game was interesting. We played hard, and it was impossible to guess how we were going to play after such a lengthy break Maybe there was such great interest for the game because of the fans, and the atmosphere made a difference on the ice. It was just like a play-off game today.

- When can we expect the injured players to return?

- We don't know exactly. But their injuries aren't ones that are going to put them out for two or three months.

- How long will Alexander Kitarov be with Molodechno?

- He's gone there for a couple of games, and afterwards we will see how he is. He hasn't played for two and half months, and that's a long time.

- Will the game against Dinamo Riga be very important?

- We will treat it like any other match.

- Are you happy with Artyom Chernook's performance?

- His game will be discussed after viewing the game video.