Roman Rotenberg speaks after beating Kunlun in Mytishchi

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- This was a difficult match for us. Kunlun are a strong opponent, they created a lot of problems for us. We expected it to be a tough game. Unfortunately, there aren't many fans here in Mytishchi, so consequently it was difficult for our guys to find the required emotions. However, that isn't an excuse for our first-period performance. We had to make changes, and we are really happy with how KHL debutant Pavel Moisevich played in our net. His style is similar to Mikko Koskinen's. After our poor start, we subsequently won the battles on the crease and emerged victorious. We have things to improve.

- Why was Moisevich included in your line-up today?

- In the past, I used to travel to Stupino to watch Moisevich and Artemiy Pleshkov play for Kapitan. They are two strong goalkeepers. Today, Pavel helped us greatly. The first KHL shot which he faced was a 1-on-1 opportunity! Furthermore, when the score was 4:3 in our favour, Pavel made crucial saves for us. Pavel only played for SKA-Neva in the VHL yesterday, but he flew here after the game ended and took to the ice in this match.

- You initially made your debut as SKA head coach here at the Arena Mytishchi. Is this consequently a special stadium for you personally?

- Everyone remembers their first match. It's a huge honour for me to coach SKA, I want to help our team win. We're making adjustments in every match. Of course, you don't want to put yourselves in such a difficult position like we did today, but ice hockey is like this sometimes. This is the beauty of ice hockey; you never know what's going to happen. We're happy that we can see how we are progressing, our performance level is improving and it's allowing us to achieve positive results.

- There are rumours that Kunlun will return to China next season. How do you feel about that? Some Russian teams are worried about the logistics.

- It's important that the KHL has teams from various nations with different systems. Kunlun possess their own style of ice hockey, a lot of their players are from North America. It's interesting to face them. It would be the right thing for Kunlun to play in China, after all Mytishchi isn't Beijing or Shanghai. Nevertheless, if they move back to China, I do hope that more fans will attend their games. When they used to play there in the past, no one attended their matches.

- When will Marat Khairullin and Brendan Leipsic return?

- They need time. Mikhail Vorobyov also received an injury today, the puck struck him in the face. Our guys are playing with commitment. Khairullin is already skating, and he will probably wear a special mask when he returns. The other injured guys are also training. In our next match in Sochi, Andrei Chivilyov will be in the line-up.

- This was the second consecutive game in which Sergei Tolchinsky netted a beauty.

- We're happy when our players take responsibility and score beautiful goals. We need leaders and heroes, and we found them today. The way we're playing is reflecting the way we are training.