SKA - CSKA. Press-conference of game one

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- It was a hard-fought playoff game between two strong teams. The match depended on one mistake, but our guys battled hard and tried their best. I have no issues with their character and commitment. We will analyse our mistakes and improve for the next match, this is the road which we are embarking on.

- Can we now say that the playoffs have started for SKA?

- All teams in the playoffs are strong. The playoffs started with the first match of the opening round. We know what areas require improvement, and we will analyse everything before game two on Tuesday. I would like to thank our fans who stayed at the stadium for the three overtime periods, their superb support provided us with much-needed energy.

- What did you focus on in overtime in order to not lose energy?

- We played using short shifts. At the same time, we wanted to continue playing at a high tempo. In our upcoming matches, we need to start scoring more goals. This series is only just beginning. When a game is so long, you must be careful not to keep the same players on the ice for too long.

- In the third period, SKA appeared to sit back and wait for counter-attack opportunities.

- We continued playing in accordance with our own brand of ice hockey. Given the fact that we were leading at the time, it's natural that our guys tried to minimalise their mistakes and keep it simple. In terms of our tactics, we did everything right. The difference was in the small details.

- What happened to Dmitry Nikolaev's equipment in the third overtime? You conceded immediately after he changed his blades.

- Nikolaev skated to the bench and changed his blades. This has happened in previous matches, the goalkeeper takes that decision himself. We will analyse the situation in full to make sure it doesn't repeat itself in the future.

- Apart from two roughing penalties, neither side committed any fouls today.

- I don't want to comment on the officiating. We have professional referees in our league, they will analyse the match for themselves. We don't have any secrets as to why we didn't take any penalties, it's all down to hard work and discipline.

HC CSKA Moscow head coach Sergei Fyodorov:

- I would like to congratulate our team with the victory, we played for six long periods. I would also like to thank our supporters for their loud support. It was a good, fast-paced match, both teams tried to move the puck about inside the attacking zone. Our defensemen came under pressure, but they coped with their task. I also think that we saved energy by moving the puck forward inside of side to side.

- What do the players eat when a game continues for such a long time?

- Regular food which is designed for sport. The main thing is our players' character and desire to win, that's something which is within our group. I'm happy that we eventually managed to score after missing so many opportunities in overtime. In terms of psychology, we tried not to put any pressure on our guys. They did a great job.

- After the opening shift, SKA used their fourth line consisting of Svyatoslav Grebenshchikov, Nikita Komarov and Nikolai Polyakov against Vladislav Kamenev's line. Did you expect them to do so?

- We had analysed the opponents well, so yes, we had expected that. Why did Maxim Sorkin play in Kamenev's place at times? Kamenev encountered a problem with the blades of his skates, so Sorkin competed in his line while he fixed the issue.

- What happened at the end of the third frame when Vladislav Kamenev's penalty was waved off?

- Our video coaches informed us that no foul had been committed. I can't recall a similar incident in the past when a penalty was cancelled, but the officials eventually came to the correct conclusion. Why didn't either team take a single penalty? The match was contested at a really high pace between two sides which move excellently across the ice. Overall, there were barely any incidents which warranted penalties.

- CSKA have already participated in 15 playoff games. How are you managing to compete with so much energy?

- Each series contains its own scenario. One of the main factors is the psychological aspect of the game. We started the season late last summer because we completed the 2021/2022 campaign in late April. In January and February, we were in great shape physically. We can now see that our guys are in a superb way both physically and psychologically. Yes, both of the first two rounds went to seven games, but we have to give credit to our opponents too. The playoffs are never a walk in the park, you're playing against teams which have analysed you in detail. Tomorrow we will begin preparing for game two in Saint Petersburg.

HC SKA forward Vasily Glotov:

- First of all, I would like to thank the fans for providing us with such passionate support. Maybe the fact that we hadn't played for a couple of weeks took its toll during the opening stages, but we subsequently improved as the game progressed. We will now prepare for Tuesday. In overtime, you always try to find the best option when in possession of the puck. It's always disappointing to lose, regardless of how long the match continued for. Nonetheless, I think that we will be fine in this series.

HC SKA forward Svyatoslav Grebenshchikov:

- You always try to avoid committing mistakes in overtime. Instead of taking risks, you keep the game simple and chuck the puck towards the crease. All of us tried our best. Right now, the main thing is to remain positive and prepare for the second match. There's no time to be disappointed. My goal? The main thing is that the puck crossed the line, even if I didn't unleash a clean shot.