Torpedo - SKA. Press-conference of Game Three

HC SKA head coach Vyacheslav Bykov:

- We knew that it would be a very tense match. We played well on the powerplay today, a component which didn't work in the previous match. Our concentration and focus was sharper today.

- Are you satisfied with Artemiy Panarin's performance?

- Yes. It's not easy to play after a long period on the sidelines. He was involved in the action today. We hope that he will pick up his form even more, but the guys in his line are helping him.

- Does playing five matches in four days affect the quality of your game?

- We were prepared for this. Of course though it's tough, and it can affect the quality of the hockey in some way.

- Talk about the refereeing today.

- I have no problems with the referees. I try not to talk about such matters. There is a lot of pressure in the playoffs, and it's very hard not to make any mistakes.

HC Torpedo head coach Peteris Skudra:

- We began in a very stiff manner, and were very nervous in front of our own fans in the first twenty minutes. In the second period however we played better. Saint Petersburg played great on the powerplay, and our penalty killing should be better. Nevertheless I enjoyed our second and third periods.

- Why did you begin so nervously?

- It's hard to say. The guys were pumped up, maybe some too much so. Our young players don't have a lot of experience, and the atmosphere put them under pressure. We didn't start well.

- Did not scoring on the five on three powerplay deflate the team?

- The players going out on the powerplay are under a lot of physical pressure, and as a result not a lot worked out. We didn't have enough concentration, the final pass was lacking, and we picked up a silly penalty. When you have a two man advantage you have to score, but we couldn't.

- Can you say why Nikita Filatov didn't receive a lot of ice time?

- It's the playoffs, and he should play better. He should improve the quality of his game when playing equal strength.

- When why Mikhail Grigoryev come back?

- I don't know. Certainly not in the next match.

- Is it tough playing five matches in four days?

- Of course. But all teams are in the same boat, and everything depends on who is the best prepared.

- Are you annoyed with your players for picking up penalties?

- Probably we should have held our emotions in more. We received two penalties in the attacking zone. We should pay more attention on to what the referees think are fouls.