Press conference after SKA hosted Dinamo Minsk

HC SKA head coach Igor Larionov:

"As you saw for yourselves, it was a tough game. Our fans provided us with fantastic support today, we started the match 0:2 down but they proved just how close they are to the team. In the end, we managed to turn the game around and earn an important victory."

Why Artemiy Pleshkov didn't play...

"First of all, I want to say that Yegor Zavragin produced a brilliant performance. He wasn't to blame at all for the goals which we conceded. Artemiy is carrying a minor injury which he received at training yesterday, but we'll see how he feels after a few days on the sidelines."

On who is the first choice goalkeeper and why Sergei Ivanov didn't play...

"The season is long, we need to see all of our goalkeepers in action. Rather than signing foreigners, we want our young goaltenders to be tested in challenging situations like today's game. Ivanov played for SKA-VMF today in the VHL, and he performed well despite the team's 2:3 overtime loss. He will be with us for the trip to Tolyatti."

The slow start...

"The five-day break took its toll. We tried to find an opportunity to play a training game against our VHL team, but the schedule didn't allow for this to happen."

Lack of pressure on Minsk while playing 5-on-5...

"When you trail 0:2, the opponents have the psychological advantage. We tried to find ways to turn the game around. We knew that Minsk like to play on the counter-attack, they have an experienced defensive line. Yes, maybe it's not the most beautiful of wins, but it's vital. Our players recovered after the early setback and started pressing. But, of course, we got lucky with the ricochet for our equaliser.

"Sometimes, instead of trying to make pretty plays, you simply need to chuck the puck on net and try to find rebounds and ricochets. This is what we did for our second marker, when the puck deflected off the Dinamo defenseman and went in. It's better to wins games in this manner rather than winning 6:1. Such matches strengthen our group. In order to achieve any victory this season, we have to overcome our hurdles."

8-2 in SKA's favour in terms of hits during the second stanza...

"Dinamo started aggressively. We gave them a chance at the start, Trevor Murphy committed a mistake which resulted in them earning a powerplay. After that, we gradually settled into the match and began playing physically in the second frame when required. Our players wanted to fire the team up with their hits, which can have a big bearing on the end result."

On Dmitry Kvartalnov also being from Voskresensk...

"We were both born in Voskresensk and started our careers with Khimik, but I left when I was 20. I think that I have the right to call myself someone from Detroit and the NHL, given that I spent so much time there. I would like to wish Dmitry luck with Dinamo, but not in matches against SKA!"

HC Dinamo Minsk head coach Dmitry Kvartalnov:

"It was a good match which we lost."

What happened after Dinamo took a quick two-goal lead...

"We had a lot of opportunities to increase our advantage. Unfortunately, life punished us for not respecting our chances or the opponents enough. We wasted a huge amount of opportunities. We scored on the powerplay in the first period, but then we subsequently had a PP during which we didn't even unleash a single shot on goal. SKA, on the other hand, scored a simple goal on the powerplay. We have to start making simple decisions."

Kristian Khenkel's late third-period penalty...

"The player will probably say that he didn't see how much time was remaining on the clock. We simply needed to clear the puck and see the frame out. In stressful situations, we must do the simple things right."

Why Xavier Ouellet and Brady Lyle didn't play...

"They're both carrying minor injuries, but should be ready for our next match."