Press conference of head coaches Ilya Vorobyov and Dmitry Kvartalnov, as well as players Mikhail Pashnin and Artem Lukoyanov.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Ilya Vorobyov, Metallurg head coach:

– We expected such a game: that it would be a playoff-like game with a lot of penalties, fight and dust-ups. We've done a great job during shorthanded play. Vasya is good, the team is good too. It's great that we finally put away and won.

– Today, the players stood up for each other. Do you think it is a good thread before the playoffs?

– We were preparing for this game, we knew how Ak Bars would play. The guys played well.

– You decided to put Koshechkin and guessed for 100%. When did you make this decision?

– We usually tell the goalkeepers in a day, so we made a decision yesterday.

– But why did you choose exactly Vasily? Because of his size or a special attitude to Ak Bars?

– Everyone is tuning in to Kazan, including Vasya. He's a good goalkeeper, a big one.

– Ahead of the second match in five days against Barys what should be improved and corrected to repeat the success on Sunday?

– That game was not bad on our part, we will prepare. Barys also needs points, we are waiting for a good game.

Dmitriy Kvartalnov, Ak Bars head coach:

– Zero goals, it's hard to say anything. Not a bad game, but we didn't make it. While Metallurg did. We could block the goal that they scored. Before was an icing. Such defeats are made up of such small things. I am disappointed with our power play. We need to work on this. I repeat: we stopped too early.

– Can you sum up the overall results of the away series?

– A good series, we understood that there is no energy. The impression of the last game – we did not score. I repeat: some players must be decisive in the power play. They didn't make it today. A good series, except for this match.

– What did you show the players so eloquently after the second goal of Magnitogorsk?

– I don't remember.

– Why did you choose Reideborn today?

– We decided to use the goalkeepers in every other game. This is a planned replacement. Reideborn played well, but the first goal changed the whole game.

– Amir Miftakhov went with the team for away games but did not play in any game. Why?

– We didn't plan for him to play.

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Mikhail Pashnin, Metallurg defender:

– Good game, the playoff game. The first period was a good start, then Ak Bars led a little. In the third period, we took the leading back. We scored important, good goals. Max Karpov played great on the slot, he closed the goalie. Such teamwork forms the victory.

– Maybe you should shoot more often and then you may score a goal?

– From the above, where you sit, everything seems easy and nice. On the ice everything is different. You try to play more team hockey. It is not true to shoot constantly. More shots – more goals, yes. But all teams are trained, they do not allow you to close the goalkeeper. Therefore, I act depending on the situation.

– Why especially today many players stood up for their teammates?

– It's normal to stand up for your teammates. And it always is. This game was like a playoff game. Many players do not want to fight and have arguments because of big penalties. This may affect the result. But all for each other, one team – this is normal. Ak Bars happened to play roughly three times in a row, and we stood up for each other. I repeat, sometimes somewhere we got lost in this mess. But we talked in the locker room, imposed our game and won. I will note Vasya Koshechkin, he played a great match. He helped us a lot today.

– What did you discuss with Fisenko in the penalty box?

– I don't understand the meaning of dirty tricks – in the back it's too much. When you hit by the rules, it's normal, I'm ready for it. But when you go on purpose to cause injury, it is unacceptable. That's what I said.

– Was it the most intensive match? You had a lot of shorthanded play today.

– Every game is energy-consuming. Today is a team victory, we fulfilled the coach's instructions, everyone played for 100%. Someone plays in the power play, someone in the shorthanded play.

Artem Lukoyanov, Ak Bars forward:

– It was a good game, both teams had plenty of chances. A lot of penalties. I think the referees did a great job today. My congrats to Metallurg!

– What's wrong with Ak Bars power play?

– They do not include me! A joke! The guys did well. Those who played in short-handed outstayed both 3 on 5 and 4 on 5. They fought and caught the pucks. The power play was worse today. It is hockey, sometimes it is a day when nothing works. Metallurg was in shorthanded play. The game went to the first goal, whoever scores first wins. We made a mistake, and we paid for it. But it's okay, there is something to think about. Let's draw conclusions, and come back even stronger!

– You have no tournament motivation at the end of the regular season, what are you working on in these games?

– I don't think so. The motivation is there for every game. I want to win every game. As for the playoffs – there's nothing left. It is necessary to play the rest of the games, to move to the playoffs. We should put the little things aside so that there is a picture of how we will play in the playoffs. It is necessary to play the last games as smoothly as possible. But maybe there was a little lack of lightness, a little bit of luck. But the opponents are also playing not for candy wrappers. They are also fighting, they have a good squad.

– Does the captain's letter on the sweater add extra motivation?

– Of course, this is a responsibility to the team, to our republic, to the coaches. You think about it, you try to start a team and help it as much as possible. I'm sorry it didn't work out today. Maybe a little fatigue affected. We weren't fast enough.