Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Avangard» 11/25/2025
25.11.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 6–5 win over Avangard.
– We started the game very hesitantly. I don't know why – we always encourage the guys to be prepared and as confident as possible. But for some reason, we started the game timidly, taking too long to make decisions, holding onto the puck, and bringing it into our own zone. As a result, we ended up with some quick goals against ourselves. True, we scored later—a goal that was a bit illogical given the start of the game, but still.We talked to the guys right away on the bench. Overall, the game was going well. We could have played, and we should have played from the very beginning. We tried to convey to them that they needed to be more confident, move, skate, control the puck, get into the zone faster, and attack. The guys listened, and little by little, things started to work out. Apparently, by the end of the first period, they felt they could create chances, play in the offensive zone, and that the game was coming our way. In the end, we were able to score on the power play today and turn the game around at even strength. Well done, guys. And the last goal... I guess it was for our work, our effort, our character—we should have had some luck, too. Although the fifth goal against us was a bit illogical: a ricochet, something flying somewhere... I guess those moments balanced each other out.
– How did the idea come about reuniting the trio of Khoruzhev, Tochilkin, and Seleznyov?
– Well, you've noticed that we change our lineups practically every game. Especially in this losing streak: it always seemed like we couldn't find a lineup that would work. So we change things up in every game – leaving two players, bringing in a third.Grisha trains, works hard, and tries hard in practice. We decided to give him the opportunity to play with his usual lineup. And, thank God, we succeeded today – well done.
– Alexander Dergachyov scored a point today after his injury. Do you think this point could inspire him to new achievements?
– I said it back in the game before last: the captain is back on the team, the team's spiritual leader is back. It's clear he's having a hard time playing his best hockey after his injury and long absence—no training, no proper exercise. But through hard work, he's gradually getting back on track. He's playing for the team, even if he's not at his best yet. He's getting back into shape through games. The main thing is that he's on the bench, motivating the guys, supporting them. On the ice, at crucial moments, he put up serious resistance on faceoffs against opposing players who could have won—that's also a good quality, and he showed it today.
– Avangard Head Coach Boucher Guy:
– It was incredible situation that you almost never see. We were playing great, we had full control of the game and we sabotaged ourselves with penalties that we deserved. The refs did a good job. It is our fault. The opponent did not quit. They fought and moved the puck around our net. We did not do a good job around our net.
– Have you ever had such games like this one, when you had a 3–goal lead, conceded a few seconds before the end of the third and lost the game?
– I have couched for 30 years, I have seen it all. You know, games you win like this, games you lose like that. There is wild one, crazy one, lucky goal at the end – hits the stick, flies in the air, our goalie did not see it, one second left... I have been on the one end of it, I have been on the other end of it. It is not what you want against you.
