Press Conference «Sochi – Neftekhimik» 11/3/2026
03.11.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 2–1 win over Sochi.
– It was a tight, hard–fought game from both teams, and both we and our opponents managed to create some scoring chances. It is great that we were able to score on the power play late in the game; the guys followed the instructions well and scored a solid goal.– The outcome of today’s game turned on a penalty call that drew debate. How satisfied are you with your team’s performance?
– As for the penalty, it may not have been clear-cut, that comes down to the officials’ judgment. There was a violation, the officials called it, and it is great that we managed to score on the power play.
– I recall your striking Van der Grishin jersey – did you manage to play the kind of “total hockey” today that has made you so popular?
– Even the Dutch national team did not always play perfect games – look at 1974, or 1978, when it lost the World Cup final to Argentina. Today our opponents played a very disciplined defensive game. They applied some pressure whenever they lost the puck, but once we had the puck, they packed the neutral zone, and breaking through took a lot of energy. That affected our play in the offensive zone – we had to spend so much effort just to get through their deep, layered defense that it was hard to save enough energy for scoring chances. After the first period we made adjustments and asked the guys to change their approach a little. The second period was quite good. The third was a bit of a grind, but in the end I am satisfied that we won – and that is what matters most!
