Ilya Kovalchuk: "We needed to shoot more"

- Games with CSKA are always tough. There weren't many chances.

- Are you disappointed? Nikolai Prokhorkin had an ideal opportunity during the final seconds.

- Yes, that was a great opening.

- What has changed under Pyotr Vorobyov?

- Nothing much, he only arrived two days ago.

- During games, Pyotr stands by the ice.

- That's the way he works.

- How would you sum up your performance with Viktor Tikhonov in the same line?

- We did well during the pre-season. We had chances ourselves, and didn't give CSKA much at the other end.

- SKA had more shots that CSKA.

- It would have been better if the defensemen shot more. We were blocking the goaltender's view, but no shots came in.

- Did you help THC Tver out in their financial problems?

- There's no point in discussing who assisted them. The main thing is that Tver have stayed in the VHL, the city has a lot of players who play in the KHL too. Ice hockey should stay in towns where people love it.

- Russia played the Czech Republic recently. Did you watch?

- Yes, I watched some of the match. It was a fast game on the smaller ice, and there were a lot of chances. It's great that the SKA players played well.

- Do you feel bitter about not being picked for the World Cup?

- Of course not. The players who are in the team deserve to be there. I wish all of them luck, and I will support them.

- If someone got injured, would you fly to Canada?

- I don't want anyone to pick up an injury! I am thinking only about SKA matches.