CSKA head coach Igor Nikitin summed up the match in Omsk.
- The series continues, we're preparing for the next game.
- It seemed like the game went according to plan for Avangard. What were you missing to start the series the way you planned?
- We needed to play to our full potential. We played today as if it were a continuation of the previous series. And this is a different team, experienced and skilled.
- The stretch in the second period, when we spent several consecutive shifts in Avangard's zone — is that something we can build on in this game?
- A great team is distinguished by its ability to react correctly after both good and bad games. We need to react correctly for the next game.
- It seemed like in the series against SKA you capitalized more on your opponent's mistakes, while Avangard didn't make any, and you didn't force them. Is that true?
- If you want to force a mistake, get in line. If your opponent is playing with a clear goal, you have to force them to make mistakes. This applies not only to today's game, but to hockey in general, to any series against a top-tier opponent.
- Nikolai Kovalenko is playing center in your playoffs. He played well at the point in the series against SKA, but Avangard's center line is on a different level. Did Nikolai pass the test, and is there a plan B if he can't maintain this level of resistance?
- You have to first fully commit to plan A, and then, if it doesn't work, move on to plan B. Jumping from one plan to another doesn't work in hockey. We didn't fully execute plan A, so it's wrong to say what worked and what didn't.
- Do you sense Klim Kostin's vengeful attitude toward Avangard, and could it backfire?
- If you want to beat your team and you have some unspoken feelings, you have to feed off of that, draw energy from it. That's the quality of a player — finding the line where you control your anger."
