Press Conference «Neftekhimik – Shanghai Dragons» 11/28/2025
28.11.2025
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 7–5 win over Shanghai Dragons.
– This kind of hockey the fans probably enjoyed. It was basically an open game of catch–up, you could say: sometimes one team was ahead, sometimes the other was catching. And it all kept everyone on edge. I think both teams, both coaching staffs, and the fans were on edge the whole time. I think everyone enjoyed it. Well, we were actually lucky today – we converted a little more, took advantage of more opportunities, and ultimately won.
– Looking at the stats, we had a very high shooting rate, but few blocked shots. Don't you think there should have been more?
– Or maybe the players who were shooting were so skilled that the pucks flew past the blockers.
– What was the discipline like in the first period?
– Well, you know, penalties come in situations like this... Basically, no one wants to get a penalty. We played a little carelessly here and there, the stick got stuck there, or we hit it badly there. It's not like we made any mistakes. Accidents happen, too – a stick stays in place, and the opponent runs into it. So, we got three penalties. We played shorthanded, and that, of course, wasn't very good for us, so we lost the period. On the other hand, in the next period, we played more with the power play – and in the third, too. So, the same questions can be asked of the opponent.
– Yurtaykin and Barulin really broke through today. They scored and made a few good passes. So, are the disciplinary measures working?
– Well, you know, probably so. Because now, when the guys on the team are getting better, competition starts to intensify – everyone starts thinking about their place on the roster. And if, say, the team wins the last game without a certain player, he also understands: if the team wins without me, then I need to try harder, work harder, and come out and play my best. Today, the guys you mentioned played very well. And Vlad scored a masterful goal – he paused and watched. And Danil, as usual, was on the assists – three assists, basically. Danil is a great guy.
Shanghai Dragons Head Coach Gérard Gallant:
– We have been conceding a lot of goals in the last few games. Last time we conceded nine, and today we conceded quite a few, and that's certainly having a negative impact on the team. Our problem isn't with the goatending, but with the defensemen's carelessness – they need to improve. The forwards, who also have to play a defensive role, need to learn some lessons. So, we have a lot of work to do on defense before we can start winning again.
– Today, your team conceded quick goals at the beginning of the second and third periods. Do you see this as a problem or a pattern?
– The start of the third period was definitely problematic for us – we conceded three goals in five minutes. That, of course, was a serious problem. Although we were happy with the end of the second period: we left with the score tied 3–3. But, again, I repeat, mistakes were made on defense.
– Looking at the stats, we had a very high shooting rate, but few blocked shots. Don't you think there should have been more?
– Or maybe the players who were shooting were so skilled that the pucks flew past the blockers.
– What was the discipline like in the first period?
– Well, you know, penalties come in situations like this... Basically, no one wants to get a penalty. We played a little carelessly here and there, the stick got stuck there, or we hit it badly there. It's not like we made any mistakes. Accidents happen, too – a stick stays in place, and the opponent runs into it. So, we got three penalties. We played shorthanded, and that, of course, wasn't very good for us, so we lost the period. On the other hand, in the next period, we played more with the power play – and in the third, too. So, the same questions can be asked of the opponent.
– Yurtaykin and Barulin really broke through today. They scored and made a few good passes. So, are the disciplinary measures working?
– Well, you know, probably so. Because now, when the guys on the team are getting better, competition starts to intensify – everyone starts thinking about their place on the roster. And if, say, the team wins the last game without a certain player, he also understands: if the team wins without me, then I need to try harder, work harder, and come out and play my best. Today, the guys you mentioned played very well. And Vlad scored a masterful goal – he paused and watched. And Danil, as usual, was on the assists – three assists, basically. Danil is a great guy.
Shanghai Dragons Head Coach Gérard Gallant:
– We have been conceding a lot of goals in the last few games. Last time we conceded nine, and today we conceded quite a few, and that's certainly having a negative impact on the team. Our problem isn't with the goatending, but with the defensemen's carelessness – they need to improve. The forwards, who also have to play a defensive role, need to learn some lessons. So, we have a lot of work to do on defense before we can start winning again.
– Today, your team conceded quick goals at the beginning of the second and third periods. Do you see this as a problem or a pattern?
– The start of the third period was definitely problematic for us – we conceded three goals in five minutes. That, of course, was a serious problem. Although we were happy with the end of the second period: we left with the score tied 3–3. But, again, I repeat, mistakes were made on defense.
