Ilya Kovalchuk: "We improved with every match"

- It was a good series. Lokomotiv played with aggression, especially in Yaroslavl. They have our respect. Lokomotiv displayed true ice hockey in the playoffs.

- Was it more difficult than against Severstal?

- It was easier physically, because we finished the series against Severstal and had time to recover, train and gather emotions. We improved with every game, and we should play like we did in today's first period all of the time.

- Were Lokomotiv aggressive?

- When I was playing in a protective mask, I played just like their young players did. They had a lot of emotions especially in home matches. If I was them, I'd carry on doing the same thing.

- Which match was the toughest?

- Probably, it was the third game. It was really tense, either team could have won. I got a bit lucky when I deflected the puck in with my stick. Later, we killed a long five minute Lokomotiv powerplay and a 3 on 5. Our penalty killing was the difference.

- However, SKA's powerplay wasn't great.

- Yes, unfortunately it wasn't. We have time to prepare, I think that it will be the key factor in the Western Conference final.

- CSKA Moscow or Jokerit?

- We don't mind. You can see for yourselves that all matches are finishing by a difference of one goal, the main thing for us is that we'll start at home. It's nice for both us and the opponents playing in this atmosphere.

- You seemed to get more emotional as this series went on.

- I always have lots of emotions.