SKA - Sibir. Press-conference

HC Sibir Novosibirsk head coach Andrei Martemyanov:

- I would like to thank our fans for their great support, this victory is for them. Our players turned the game around and managed to win, it was an even match with both teams having their chances. I am grateful to my players for their character.

- Sibir were very aggressive in the third period.

- We wanted our players to shoot on goal more, we had made a lot of passing mistakes. We scored our goals and emerged victorious.

- Did you gain belief after scoring the equaliser?

- I had to give them a bit more belief. They sensed blood after equalising, we started to compete with more confidence. We required a lot of time to get used to the ice size here.

- Are you satisfied with Sibir's recent performances?

- At the start of the season, we lacked stability. These guys can play ice hockey, we had conversations with them and they have started to achieve great results after beginning to believe in themselves. Our goaltenders are playing brilliantly, and we're solid in defence. One goal is normally enough for us to win. We need results, not beautiful ice hockey.

- Denis Golubev received a roughing penalty when sticking up for a teammate in the second period. Did he do the right thing there?

- The opponent was wiser. Denis is a guy with a really strong character, though, he gives his soul for his teammates. Maybe that moment helped us turn the match around in our favour. Yes, Denis doesn't always control his emotions, but he is an emotional player.

HC SKA head coach Valeri Bragin:

- The first two periods were good, but we gave Sibir the initiative in the third. We had chances in the closing moments. Valentin Zykov, Alexander Volkov and Joonas Kemppainen all returned after spells on the sidelines, they aren't in optimal shape yet. Hopefully, we will start to play better.

- SKA have only scored five goals in the last five matches. What has happened?

- We're working on this during our training sessions.

- You are constantly rotating the squad. Is this having an effect on the team?

- Leo Komarov and Nikita Gusev have played together for two games now, and the line with Kemppainen, Andrei Kuzmenko and Anton Burdasov has returned. Zykov and Volkov need time to get in perfect shape.

- Did you work the players too hard during the international break?

- No, a lot of our players went to the national team. We rested and also worked hard.

- Why is only Lars Johansson playing in your net? Do you not believe in the other goaltenders?

- Alexander Samonov and Dmitry Nikolaev are here with us, while Yaroslav Askarov is with SKA-Neva. We will think.

- You have sent Ivan Morozov and Kirill Marchenko to the VHL. Why?

- New guys have signed for us, and everyone needs game time. All players are being considered.

- Nikita Kamalov and Nikita Lisov made their KHL debuts for SKA today.

- Kamalov is excellent at breaking the play up, we know him well and we need defensemen like him. We gave Lisov a chance, and he played well.