Valeri Bragin speaks after beating Avangard in Balashikha

HC SKA head coach Valeri Bragin:

- It was a good performance from us. It was tough in the first period, though, we were knocked out of our rhythm after having three days without a match. The guys were excellent in the second and third frames, our special teams were great. We are very happy with this win.

- Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen contributed with three points on his debut.

- You saw his game for yourselves. He is a high-level, two-way player.

- Are your players in their best form of the season so far?

- Yes, we counted on this period during September and October. We've got momentum.

- Why didn't Anton Burdasov play?

- He has a small injury.

- SKA have made impressive signings with the likes of Lehtonen, Nikita Gusev, Valentin Zykov and Alexander Volkov. Will everyone receive game time?

- We are very happy that we are managing to bring players back to Russia, it's a real positive for the KHL. Valentin and Alexander are Saint Petersburg guys, they will be useful both in the league and at international level.

- SKA seemed to control proceedings.

- At first, we did struggle to get into the match, but we subsequently played really well in the second and third periods. We are satisfied with how the team worked.

- Coach Albert Leshchyov wasn't on the bench.

- That was because of family reasons.

- What did you make of Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi's showing in his maiden game of the 2021/2022 campaign?

- He improved after the first period and worked brilliantly.