SKA - Traktor. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Valeri Bragin:

- I am really grateful to the team. It means a lot to come from 0:3 down and win a match, the guys played until the end. Furthermore, I want to thank the fans, they roared us on and we felt their energy. The support was excellent!

- Why do SKA only begin playing aggressively when trailing by three goals?

- We played well during the first period today, but we conceded two goals as a result of ricochets. We're happy with this victory, the players continued to play our brand of ice hockey.

- Who made the decision to swap Lars Johansson in favour of Yaroslav Askarov?

- It was our joint decision. Will Askarov be on the ice more often in upcoming games? Yes, this is possible.

- Why did you initially put Andrei Kuzmenko in a line with Mikhail Vorobyov and Emil Galimov?

- Those three didn't play in Podolsk, and our first three lines today were brilliant in the third period against Vityaz on Monday. This is why we made that particular decision.

- SKA are often saving matches heroically after trailing. Will this help build the team spirit even further as we look to the future?

- This team has character. The guys fight until the end and rescue games.

- Incidentally, this was your 50th match as SKA head coach.

- I didn't know that, thank you for telling me.

HC Traktor Chelyabinsk head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin:

- We started well. However, we relaxed too early, committing mistakes and consequently allowing the opponents to get back into the game. We took needless penalties and gave SKA the initiative. We have a lot to work on, such matches need to be won.

- Did SKA get back into the match only as a consequence of your mistakes, or do they deserve credit too?

- We are focused on our own game. I think that our errors allowed the opponents to take the initiative: we lowered our speed, lost possession and took silly penalties. These factors resulted in us losing.

- You are using Vitaly Abramov as a hard-hitting forward, but many consider him to be a technical player.

- I wouldn't say that he's competing in such a physical manner. Vitaly needs time to adapt, but he is trying his best for the team.

- What can you say about the refereeing? Will Traktor submit a protest?

- I can't comment on that. We will analyse what happened and act accordingly. We have to focus on our own game, not allowing ourselves to move away from the tactical plan when 3:0 up. I would like to thank our fans for their brilliant support today.

- Did your game plan change after taking a three-goal lead?

- Our plan was to not sit in defence and to control the puck. However, we became far too confident and made poor mistakes as a result.

- When Askarov moved into SKA's net, did you tell your players to do anything differently?

- We always analyse the opponents while focusing on our own approach. Our task for the players was to crash the net and claim the rebounds, that's all. Today, we were lacking in that department.