CSKA - Avangard. Post-match press conference
1215

CSKA - Avangard. Post-match press conference

Comments of the head coaches of the teams after the KHL regular championship match of the 2021/22 season CSKA - Avangard.

Sergey Fedorov, head coach of CSKA:

- I'm glad we finished the way we did. Guys with a victory. I thank my opponent for a great match. I think there should be more such fights. We could have spoiled the ending with unjustified deletions, but I'm glad for the guys that they survived. There are a few points that we would like to close, but the work continues, we have a few more matches to improve the game, both in the majority and in the minority.

- Was there any special attitude towards Avangard or was it an ordinary ordinary match?

- Each game should not be an ordinary one for us. After the regular season, there are always playoffs, for which we are preparing hard. All our views on an intense season are the second half of the championship. Especially games with "Avangard" are not ordinary. They shape our character, suggest what to work on, I would like more such meetings.

- The same player with the score 3: 1 fouls outside his goal. Why is this happening?

- Of course, it gave us trouble and negative energy. But we "will not sprinkle ashes on our heads." In a quiet mode, we will find a solution to this problem.

- The seven defenders who played today must qualify for the top 6 in every match. Should this seven not only play on paper, but also on ice, should it play like that?

- Yes you are right. This is our optimal squad for such matches, but, unfortunately, our player was injured on the defensive line. We are not so lucky yet in terms of injury.

- Diez, Nesterov, Gilmore and Provolnev play well in the majority. Is the coaching staff working to put in two of these four defenders, or is 1-4 your main plan?

- I think my colleagues know that we played the majority with two defenders. Today is such a first experience that all the defenders have recovered and we were able to use the "1-4" system.

- It seemed that Provolnev did not fall into the rhythm of the game.

- Perhaps, from the outside it looks like this. But we have no problems and questions for Vlad. I will not say that he had a busy playing season where he came from. Therefore, he will need some time to adapt. The experience he got in North America should help him twice as fast. The guy is serious and treats the work moments very carefully.

- What explains such a solid credit of trust on the part of the coaching staff to Abramov?

- His actions on ice.

- Nikita Nesterov came back after the break and immediately spent 30 minutes on the court. Is it too much workload for the first match?

- This question can be answered within the next day or after the next game. Nikita played more with us. Today was a principled match. We restored him completely and he looked good the whole match. Hope we didn't overdo it.

- Okulov, Kamenev and Plotnikov have been constantly coming out together lately. Have you already decided that this link worked and will continue to continue as well?

- You don't always want to run ahead. But the guys are looking good now. I want to wish them to score those wonderful moments that they create. I would especially like to wish Kostya Okulov to find approaches to the gate. Vlad Kamenev attacked well today. Sergey Plotnikov adds that intensity and experience to them, he helps them well in the attack zone.

- If we compare Ditz's actions in the last two matches and in Barys, these are two different hockey players. Why did this happen and what did you do to make it show its current high level?

- I don't quite know the situation at Barys, but for any hockey player such a big change in the middle of the season is always an incentive for good work in a new atmosphere, team and dressing room. I think these emotions help him look good. But I also talked to Darren today, telling him: "Do less and then you will get more." But that, of course, was an English phrase. I wanted to support and calm him a little, because in the last game he did a little more than necessary. On a personal level, we managed to calm him down and give him the comfort that every player wants to feel in our club.

- When will we see Anton Slepyshev on the ice?

- He went through all the recovery measures. And already on the ice. Most likely, tomorrow he will join the general group and will be out in the next games.

 

Bob Hartley, head coach of Avangard:

- Congratulations to CSKA with the victory. I think that we had a great first period considering what kind of squad we have. Our plans were to take the lead, we succeeded. But then there were three goals in our goal, we played in three links, and also considering that many guys just recovered from their illness. They may not be at their maximum physical condition. But we should pay tribute to our guys, they did not give up, continued to fight and stayed in the game. We scored the puck in the power play, but we just didn't have enough time.

- The first match between the teams this season was four months ago. What has changed in the opponent's game?

- CSKA was strengthened by Diez, Provolnev. This is one of the strongest teams on the blue line right now. They have defenders who are great at joining the attack. They include many reliable, dimensional guys. But I'm happy with the way we are fighting against this team.

- You had a wonderful troika Tseglarik - Knight - Gritsyuk. Today we saw Tseglarik Telegin in place.

- As I said, many of our guys were whitewashed, and I tried to balance the links so that those guys who did not recover or were not in optimal condition. But now is such a time of year that the players of many clubs are sick. And this situation has to be dealt with.

- "Avangard", when playing the majority, often looks for a player on the middle and near dime for a one-touch throw. How did it happen that you conceded three goals in the second period from this point?

- Sometimes on the ice decisions are made in a split second. And we must pay tribute to the enemy, you can boast of them. CSKA played great combinations. Today we played against a very good team.

- You said that your plan was to take the account. How was this plan influenced by the moment when, with the score 1: 1, Semyonov missed an empty net, when the opponent's goalkeeper was already on the ice?

- It was a play episode. In any match, there are several moments when the player can become key and dictate the course of the game. If you manage to use your chances, it gives you a chance to win. Perhaps in this moment Semyonov had more time than he himself thought. But when you are on the ice, everything happens very quickly, and he simply missed.

- Was Tolchinsky effective enough in the link with Kablukov and Zharkov?

- Today we didn’t have five forwards. And we tried to balance the squads, plus match the players to the squads of CSKA in accordance with the size and speed. Other clubs have a similar situation now, Avtomobilist has no key players. We wish there were more options. But there is an attack with injuries and illnesses, and we try to overcome it.

- Are you satisfied with the actions of Viktor Svedberg?

- I am very pleased for him. He is a true professional. Gorgeous, dimensional protector. He will definitely help us in the rest of the regular season and in the playoffs. He is now mastering himself, studying our system. And I'm happy with what I see. It will be even more beneficial.