Press Conference «Avangard – Neftekhimik» 01/16/2023

Oleg Leontyev, the head coach of HC Neftekhimik:

– We did not have a good beginning of the game. We were penalyzed and conceded first goal. Avangard have a good power play, almost 30 percent. We conceded second goal from our slot and the game completely changed its way. Of course, we had great scoring goals. The guys played to the very end. The opponent was luckier today.

– Neftekhimik turned on a playoffs mode, although there is still almost a month and a half before the end of the regular season. Is it hard for team physically?

– It is both hard and interesting at the same time. These types of games makes you stronger. Therefore, everything is fine. We prepare for every game.

– Could you rate the way ex-players of Avangard Maxim Berezin and Ansel Galimov played?

– Galimov is a key player of the second line. He plays a lot of pk. Berezin is a good defenseman who has good +/-. We are happy to have them on our team.

Mikhail Kravets, the head coach of HC Avangard:

– It is always hard to play against teams like this one; they play to the very end. In some situations, they do not stick to the system and play intuitively. Therefore, at any time you can expect some changes. Perhaps, we did not play the way we wanted too, but the most important thing is that we won. We scored good goals and our pk units did a great job. Demchenko made big aves and kept us in the game.