SKA - Lokomotiv. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- We had prepared seriously for this match, taking into account just how organised Yaroslavl are. Lokomotiv compete with structure and organisation. We weren't happy with how we played in the first period, we made mistakes which were punished. After we had held a conversation in the dressing room, we subsequently improved and displayed our brand of ice hockey in the second and third frames. Matches with Lokomotiv allow us to progress, and we have four more games against them coming up in this regular season. Our task is to beat them in our next match in Yaroslavl on October 23rd. Unfortunately we do have a lot of injuries at the moment, but Stepan Falkovsky should soon return and Andrei Pedan will probably be able to play again this season. We'll now prepare to face Dinamo Minsk here on Friday. Borna Rendulic? He scored a great goal after recently flying here to join us. Borna possesses a wonderful shot, I'm sure that he'll make the fans happy with his goals and excellent performances. To be honest, our win against Kunlun Red Star on Monday didn't help us, our players felt too relaxed after that match.

HC Lokomotiv Yaroslavl head coach Igor Nikitin:

- This was a good game for us, we played well in attack and defended solidly when required. As a consequence of the tight schedule, mistakes are occuring, but the main thing

is to react in the right way. Our second period? It was vital that we immediately tallied our third after SKA had scored, that was why that particular stanza was key. We gave chances to young talents Alexander Perevalov and Alexander Volkov during pre-season, but we aren't doing the same now? That's a question which you need to ask them. Everyone makes his own path in life, in our team we decide on the squad in accordance with who is winning the honest competition within the group.

HC SKA forward Alexander Kadeikin:

- This game depended on who committed the highest amount of mistakes. Lokomotiv competed with discipline, but we allowed them to run the game as a result of them scoring first. When playing Lokomotiv, they can allow you to hold the initiative and control the puck, but they won't let you attack their crease. You never have many chances against them, so you must take advantage of the opportunities which you do manage to create.

HC SKA forward Zakhar Bardakov:

- Both teams created chances and fought hard. Whenever we play Lokomotiv, our games are always physical and hotly contested. The key was that we conceded straight after scoring our first goal. We've stopped taking so many penalties? It's really good that this is happening, we were taking five or six penalties per game at the start of the campaign. Our overall performance level is improving.