SKA - Lokomotiv. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- We understood the importance of this match, we were competing in our special Leningrad jerseys in accordance with the 80th anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad. Lokomotiv are a strong opponent, we knew that they were going to be fully prepared for this game. It was a match of a high level. Our guys did a great job, they survived Lokomotiv's advances, won the battles across the ice and scored the decisive goals. Taking into account that this was our final match at the Ice Palace, we really wanted to win. Thankfully we've now got time to prepare for our next match on Friday. Our meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin? As you can see, it provided us with additional energy! I'm now looking forward to seeing everyone at the SKA Arena on February 11th, we will make it our home stadium together! Why did I put Mikhail Vorobyov, Ivan Zinchenko and Zakhar Bardakov on the ice for the concluding minutes when Lokomotiv competed 6-on-5? We needed guys who win the battles for neutral pucks and block shots. Bardakov is our assistant captain because he competes with so much character and commitment!

HC Lokomotiv Yaroslavl head coach Igor Nikitin:

- I would like to congratulate SKA with their victory, we gave them the opportunity to take advantage of our mistakes. When you play against such a strong opponent, you don't need to gift them cheap chances. Our powerplay didn't work? SKA were proactive on the PK, but we were too hasty with the puck and didn't make the right decisions. Daniil But didn't play a single shift? Our task was to win, not to give Daniil ice time.

HC SKA forward Valentin Zykov:

- Lokomotiv are a strong side, but we managed to capitalise on our chances. My thoughts on leaving the Ice Palace? This is our home, but we will now take our victories to the new arena. My goal? As a consequence of their defenseman falling over, we managed to skate away on a 3-on-1. The puck dropped at my stick, and I hit the target.

HC SKA forward Marat Khairullin:

- It was a tough, hard-fought game against a great team. Nonetheless, we took advantage of the opportunities which came our way in the second stanza. We survived Lokomotiv's onslaught and emerged victorious. Did we have extra motivation today? Yes, we did. On such a day like today, we didn't have the right to lose.