Comments from the teams' head coaches after the KHL Regular Season 2021/22 game CSKA – Neftekhimik.
Sergey Fedorov, head coach of CSKA:
- It was a tense game for us. I guess it may be said we gave up some energy and emotions in the game with Avangard. But I still liked our spirit. "Neftekhimik is a fast organized team. It plays good hockey. We had a good, dynamic opponent in this game. We were worried about one thing: whether we could keep the pace that our opponent offered us after the game with Avangard. We were half a step behind in the first period and, in my opinion, we got a good lead in the second one. At the beginning of the third period, we managed to reach the level of play that we had to show in all three periods. There were chances to score an extra goal in regulation time at 1:1 score, maybe. Congratulations to our guys with the victory. Today they worked very well.
- In the first period, the opponent took twice as many shots on goal. What was the reason?
- "Neftekhimik was not unexpected opponent for us. Even though we hadn't played them before this season, we knew exactly what kind of team they were and how they've moved over the last seven or eight games. And it turned out that way. That's a credit to our opponent. Our schedule allowed us to play today at 2:30 p.m., there was enough rest.
- What is the reason for the absence of Vladislav Kamenev today?
- Vlad did not feel well before the game, so he did not play today. We're trying to figure it out now.
- In overtime, at facing-off in the opponents' zone with an empty goal, even from the stands, this seems risky. Losing the puck is 50 to 50. How are you not afraid to do that?
- It doesn't look like that from our bench (smiles). It's not the first time our guys have done it. I think we may win the first face-off. If we do that, I think it's not that bad, it's set play. There were a couple of throws and before that a long shift from our opponents, so all in all it gives us hopes that 50/50 will become some kind of advantage.
- How did Anton Slepyshev come into the game after the break?
- I think he played even better than expected – he moved well. Of course, it's not usual for an adult hockey player to play in such a mask. We gave him a certain rhythm, watched him hitting the ice. There are still a lot of games in a day and for me, as a coach, it is important that he does not get injured and feel the rhythm of the game.
Oleg Leontyev, head coach of Neftekhimik:
- Big-name opponent, it's nice to play when there are spectators in the stands. It's nice to see our team, which once again showed its character and earned a point. Although we could have won in overtime, we hit the post. It is a valuable point, because we have got the injuries. The guys had no mercy for themselves, their dedication was boundless, so I am very grateful to them. I am proud of our guys fighting on the ice today. I congratulated them in the locker room today. We are preparing for the next game.
- It seemed that your players weren't quite ready that CSKA would take the goalie off and put a fourth field player on. In some moments, when your players could have shot into an empty goal, they just threw the puck out of the zone.
- We were ready for the opponent to use such non-standard tactics. And our defenseman Ronald somehow got confused and could have thrown not on the touch icing, but on the goal. But I'll ask him. Although, before that, he hit the post
- Did you set the team to attack right away or did you understand that you could do it after the first minutes of the game?
We don't divide our opponents, we look at each one in particular and find our own tactics for him, but in our game, we always try to play interesting attacking hockey. It's interesting for the spectators, for the players. We have to play hockey that brings joy to the fans. This means goals, beautiful setups.
- How did you manage to breathe new life into Vyacheslav Leshchenko? Last season he was a completely different player in Kunlun.
- Apparently, we have a good aura on our team and people are opening up. And so do the other guys. We are happy that Slava is scoring goals and is the team’s leader. He had the potential before when he played the season two or three years ago. Now he has rebooted, the guy has matured and now he helps himself and us a lot.
- How do you feel about the tactics of removing the goalie in overtime? What should be the regulation?
- I has conservative views. It's too risky for me. So, I wouldn't do it. And to deduct points for that, I don't know.
- Now one of your competitors is missing games because of the large number of positive tests on players. Doesn't it bother you that Neftekhimik, even before you came, was playing in youth in the same situation?
- Yes, and this season Minsk played three lines. I think there should be clear regulations on what to do in such situations. Some teams are dealt with this way, while others are dealt with differently. Now it can be an advantage for Automobilist and vice versa. The opponents, with whom this team must play, also have players from the national teams, and they will be weakened. And it won't be quite fair.
- Why did you decide to sign a player as old as Evgeny Artyukhin?
- He adds power, team spirit and aggression to us. I see his help in the locker room and on the ice. It is too early to write him off, he will help our team.
