Roman Rotenberg speaks after beating Vityaz in Balashikha

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- In terms of our approach and structure, it was a complete performance. The guys followed through with what we had told them in training. This is an important victory for us, and I want to note the professionalism displayed by everyone involved in this match. We'll now prepare for our next game on Friday.

- If we look back at your preceding two matches, what aspects did you manage to improve today?

- We managed to take advantage of our scoring opportunities. At the same time, we helped our goalkeeper by not allowing Vityaz Moscow Region to create clear shooting lanes. I liked how we played in defence, it's nice to earn a shutout. We're satisfied with this triumph, everyone worked professionally.

- Why didn't Marat Khairullin play?

- He told me this morning that he didn't feel ready to play. Health comes first, a player can only take to the ice if he's 100% healthy. Hopefully, Marat will be able to participate in our upcoming match against Spartak in Moscow.

- Fellow forward Stepan Starkov hasn't been seen for a while.

- We have healthy competition within our team. All of our players - including Stepan - are training. Just like everyone else, we're counting on Stepan. As soon as he's ready, he will play. It's all down to sporting principle.

- SKA veterans submitted a letter to the President of the Russian Federation in which they complained about the level of officiating in the KHL. In such challenging times, was this really necessary?

- You need to ask the veterans this question. We respect all of our ice hockey veterans, they dedicated their lives to ice hockey. For example, Vladimir Yurzinov is really helping us as a member of our coaching staff. I would like to ask media representatives to refrain from criticising ice hockey veterans.

- This appeared to be a comfortable victory for SKA, with your players only raising their level when required.

- Every victory is difficult. Today, we saw that our guys calmly followed the game plan and competed with great structure. This proves just how professionally they treated this match. We have to give credit to Vityaz, they're using the system which was originally created by Bob Hartley for Avangard Omsk when they won the Gagarin Cup. This is a team win for us.

- 19-year-old defenseman Ivan Vydrenkov impressed in the third period.

- We're paying attention to the individual development of all of our players. Ivan boasts huge potential, he skates excellently and always plays with commitment. I think that he will grow into a fantastic defenseman who will maybe help the Russian national team in the future. Ivan is always burning with desire to work hard and develop.