Ilya Kovalchuk: "Dynamo were fresher than us"

- How did you like the arena?

- It's really nice.

- Better than the Ice Palace?

- No.

- Was it not too hot inside?

- Both teams were in the same boat.

- How do you feel after your injury?

- I have missed a lot of games, and need to get back into the routine of playing again. I gave the first goal away though, and ruined the game.

- Roman Rotenberg said that it was your personal decision to play.

- We have doctors and physiotherapists for that.

- What didn't work out in this game?

- It's hard to say. Dynamo were a bit fresher than us, created more chances and deservedly won.

- At times you clearly didn't want to leave the ice.

- We play as many minutes as the coaches tell us. I saw Dynamo's game in Saint Petersburg: they are a good team, but nothing special. We are to blame, we need to keep searching for our game.

- Why have SKA begun the season poorly?

- A lot of guys left during the summer, miracles don't happen. Nothing terrible has happened, we've only played 12 games. Everything is only just beginning.

- Drawing from your experience, how much time is required for SKA to rebuild?

- It's tough to say how much time is needed when so many players leave. The main thing is to play well in every game. Today we did a lot of things right, but our penalty kill is poor - we are conceding a lot of goals.

- What can we expect for Wednesday's match against CSKA?

- It will be a good derby. We can't wait for it. We'll have a rest now and then get ready for that fixture.

- Is there always a strong feeling that Dynamo and CSKA are special opponents?

- Of course, there has been a lot of history created in the playoffs. When you beat each other in the playoffs bad blood is left over, scores are left to be settled. Each game has added motivation.

- Are you comfortable playing with Jarno Koskiranta?

- Yes.

- You have only two foreigners, including Joakim Lindstrom.

- There aren't any problems.