Nikolai Puchkov Tournament. SKA - Sochi. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- I would like to congratulate everyone with the victory. It was a good game, and there were quite a lot of fans inside the arena. We are grateful to everyone who comes to our matches. We tried to play at our maximum from the first minute. The guys did a good job, they followed the game plan and played for each other. We will now prepare for the next game.

- You have barely changed the line-up during this competition. Do you know who will be in your line-up for the KHL?

- We need all of our players. Let's see what team we pick tomorrow, we trust every player in our squad. We had tough training camps in Novogorsk and Sochi, small injuries were picked up along the way. You don't change what is working effectively. We'll analyse the game, speak to our doctors and physical training coaches and make a decision concerning Saturday.

- SKA took a lot of penalties in the first period, one of which resulted in a conceded goal.

- Yesterday, we engaged in a refereeing meeting. Head KHL referee Alexei Anisimov spoke to us about the new rules, which will help talented players show their capabilities.

We can see that not everyone has got used to the new regulations yet. Our players need to get used to them too, so we have to be disciplined, work with our legs and play for the good of the team. It's vital to get rid of needless penalties. Ahead of tomorrow's match, it is particularly important.

- Alexander Nikishin has extended his SKA contract. When you sealed the trade with Spartak Moscow, did you have in mind that he would sign a long-term deal?

- It's important for us to keep the players which we will compete with. Alexander is one of our leaders, we're happy that he will stay with us. At the same time, we are developing on a daily basis. We will do everything to ensure that Alexander improves further and makes the minimal amount of mistakes.

- Does Dmitry Buchelnikov have a chance to become a first-team regular?

- Everyone has that opportunity. Dmitry is already playing for the senior team, and today he was included in the second line, had a lot of ice time and competed on the powerplay. However, he took penalties. We have food for thought. All players understand that we have high competition, this is helping them progress. They are all trying their best and helping the team achieve positive results.

- This is your maiden pre-season as SKA head coach. What is different in comparison to previous years in terms of your role?

- There are a lot of differences. I have been working with this team for 10 years, but there are details which we have improved this season. We think that we have prepared for the campaign better, correcting the mistakes which we had made in the past. This experience is helping us move forward. Every game and training session is important, and we can never be satisfied. The next match is always the most important one. We will continue working and correcting our errors.

- Personally, what has changed for you?

- The work of a coach is crucial. I have more responsibility now, we are responsible for our decisions. That's what we always tell the players.

HC SKA defenseman Alexander Nikishin:

- It was a good game. We wasted a lot of scoring opportunities, while also regularly playing on special teams. Taking into account the updated rules, we can expect to play either on the powerplay or shorthanded on a regular basis. I think that we are all satisfied with this match.

- You picked up three points today. Furthermore, you signed a new contract with SKA.

- Yes, I had signed my new deal today before the match started. As a result, I was playing full of positive emotions, I think that helped me gain three points on the ice.

- How do you feel physically after the challenging summer training camps?

- It's true that the training camps were tough. Nevertheless, we will be in optimal physical shape for the KHL.

- Have you fully adapted to SKA yet?

- 90%. To be honest, I need to adapt to Saint Petersburg as a city more, it is very different to Moscow. I really do love Moscow, whereas I am yet to learn the names of the streets or districts in Saint Petersburg. I think I just need a couple of weeks to adapt.

- Have you already made friends with anyone in this SKA squad?

- I'm speaking with everyone. Some I already knew from the national team, while others were born in the same year as me. All defensemen sit next to each other and talk.

- Sergei Zubov is one of SKA's coaches. Was he an idol for you while growing up?

- When I trained with Sochi, he was their head coach and I started watching highlights of how he used to play. Sergei is a member of the Hall of Fame, so he can certainly give me plenty of advice.

- When you joined SKA, were you very disappointed that the number 57 was already taken?

- If I'm honest, I was a bit disappointed. It's strange for me to play with the number 21 on my jersey. 75? No, I don't like that number.

HC Sochi head coach Andrei Nazarov:

- I would like to thank the competition organisers and all of the supporters. This match was a part of our preparations for the KHL, we worked on our special teams. Some things went well, others didn't.

- Nikita Popugaev is currently trying out with your team. What are you making of his performances?

- He's playing for free, that's fine with us! He has one more game for us at the tournament.

- Despite playing well in the attacking zone, your players aren't scoring a lot of goals.

- We're working on this. Only four days have gone since the players began to feel normal physically again after our difficult training camps, I liked our movement today across the opening two periods. SKA had their main players on the ice, but we gave them a good fight in the maiden 40 minutes. When you are two goals down in a friendly game, it's tough to find the strength required to make a comeback. We are not the hosts of this competition, we have nothing to prove. Our main goal is to start the KHL well.