CSKA forward Prokhor Poltapov recapped the match against Lada.
– You could certainly say it was a tough trip, but we should have started the first period more aggressively. Lada is going through a rough patch, so they try to push hard right from the puck drop, and maybe we were caught napping a bit at the start. We had a quick locker room talk, and it all came together.
– On the play where you scored your first goal, how did you end up alone with the puck in the slot while our team was making a line change?
– Klim Kostin made a great play along the boards, and Bobby Hamilton kept the puck in at the blue line. I'm staying back to cover. Yeah, I was ready for the puck to come my way. We have a game plan, and you just have to execute it.
– Tell us about your goal.
– Maxim Sorkin started the rush, showing great footwork to exit the zone and chip it deep. Then Marat Khairullin made a great dish, all that was left was to finish the play. Those were great team goals.
– What is the atmosphere in the team like after five away wins out of five?
– Of course, the atmosphere is good. We can't get comfortable. We've got to keep grinding and elevate our game. It was a tough trip, for sure, but there's still a lot of hockey left to play.
