SKA - CSKA. Press-conference

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- We had prepared very seriously for this game, taking into account just how motivated CSKA were going to be. I would like to dedicate this victory to those who defended our city during the Siege of Leningrad - tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of its lifting. Our guys did a great job, they fought for each other and followed the game plan. However, our discipline must improve. It's important for us that we're now in first place of the Western Conference, but we will now prepare for our next match on Monday.

- This is the first time in the history of the regular season when SKA have defeated CSKA five times in a row. How have you managed to achieve this?

- CSKA boast a team of the highest quality with Olympic, world and KHL champions in their ranks. When you play against such a powerful team, you must compete with maximum concentration. We always prepare very seriously for games against CSKA. Thanks to our ice hockey IQ, tactical flexibility and hard work we are managing to beat these opponents. Ice hockey is an intellectual sport. Nevertheless, we're only just getting started, we'll play Lokomotiv Yaroslavl at home on Monday and CSKA in Moscow next Friday. We want to be the best in every shift, every game.

- When SKA were leading 2:1, CSKA had opportunities to equalise. How did you manage to keep them at bay?

- We continued to play our style of ice hockey. There were moments when we moved away from our plan, but we engaged in productive communication on the bench. It's vital to play your brand of ice hockey for the entire game. Yes, mistakes were committed, but we showed character and took responsibility when presented with scoring opportunities.

- Why did your players take so many penalties? Did they struggle to control their emotions?

- You must always remain in control of your emotions during matches. At the same time, though, we must give credit to CSKA. They played excellently. When we took penalties, we should have made extra steps with our legs in order to avoid committing fouls. We'll improve our discipline.

- Arseniy Gritsyuk is in superb form.

- Ice hockey is a team sport. We've been working well with Arseniy since day one, and we can see just how hungry he is to achieve success. He's progressing on a daily basis, but he can play even better!

- SKA punished CSKA on the counter. Have you solved the problem of lacking ruthlessness in front of goal?

- We have to continue improving this aspect of our game. In order to capitalise on your chances, you must continue shooting towards the same target a thousand times! Our finishing in front of goal is the fundament of our victories.

- There is a possibility that SKA and CSKA will meet in the first round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs.

- Our task is to win every game. In the playoffs, you must never choose who you want to face. We don't care who we play, our goal is to be victorious in every match.

HC CSKA Moscow senior coach Ravil Yakubov:

- Unfortunately, this wasn't a successful game for us. Had we capitalised on at least half of our chances, the result would have been different. We didn't have the right to fall apart like we did in the closing stages and commit such dreadful mistakes.

- CSKA conceded two sets of quickfire goals. Did you struggle to react?

- For SKA's first marker, the puck went in following a ricochet. After that, we subsequently lost the battle on the crease and committed individual mistakes.

- Was it a risk to give 17-year-old defenseman Matvei Shuravin game time against such a strong opponent?

- I think that Matvei played well overall, but maybe we conceded the third goal because of him. In that particular situation we should have put a more experienced defenseman on the ice.

- What happened during the concluding minutes? CSKA completely fell apart.

- When we were only 1:2 down, we wasted huge chances to equalise. Had Mikhail Grigorenko made it 2:2 with his opportunity, the game would have been different. If we take a look at SKA's fourth, then yes, we can see that Darren Dietz didn't have the right to try and beat an opponent when he was the last player inside his own zone.

- How does head coach Sergei Fyodorov feel?

- Sergei is currently on the sidelines with a high temperature. We spoke on the phone after our morning skate, but we didn't communicate during the game. Was I nervous about being the interim head coach? I was a bit apprehensive before our last match, but today I felt fine.

HC SKA forward Zakhar Bardakov:

- It's great that we managed to defeat such a strong opponent. This was a big test for us, but we passed it with flying colours. Do we have a special mindset for playing CSKA? No, we treat it like any other game. We want to win every match, regardless of who we're facing! Is it comfortable to play with a special protective mask? No, it isn't comfortable at all.

HC SKA forward Valentin Zykov:

- We capitalised on our opportunities and our goalkeeper helped us greatly. My second goal? Luck was on our side for that marker, the puck bounced our way. When did I know that we were going to win? When the final buzzer sounded!