SKA - Torpedo. Press-conference
HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod head coach David Nemirovsky:
- This was a tough road trip for us, a lot of our guys are either injured or ill. Eight or nine players today wouldn't have played had the others been fit. Nevertheless, I am grateful to them for their effort. We need points, though, our situation in the standings is difficult. Hopefully, all of our players will be available for our upcoming home matches.
- Why was Sergei Goncharuk in the first line instead of Ivan Chekhovich?
- We wanted to make two lines stronger instead of just one.
- In the first period, Torpedo only registered two shots on target in comparison to SKA's 15.
- First of all, SKA have a strong team, they protected the puck inside our zone and made life difficult for our guys. We improved in the second and third periods.
- What was your game plan?
- We wanted to compete in a simple manner inside our zone, while also creating chances near SKA's net. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough strength and the opponents played well.
HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:
- We played with discipline today, sticking to the game plan. We're grateful to our guys for working to their maximum.
- After you were appointed as the head coach of SKA, information appeared suggesting that a Canadian coach contacted you.
- Dave King, who is a well known coach, spoke to me. He said that he really likes our way of playing, he thinks that we're using a modern system. It's a big honour for us that coaches like Dave are watching our progress. I replied stating that we will continue progressing, we like playing intense ice hockey. We have a lot of work ahead of us. I would like to say a big thank you to our players, they're fully following the game plan. We continue working.
- What are your plans for Matvei Michkov?
- We're really waiting for Matvei. He stayed in Canada for his quarantine period, but we are in daily contact. He is working out on the bike and training well. When this happens to any of our players, we always do this.
- Alexander Volkov hasn't played for a while.
- We have healthy competition within our team, this helps our players progress. Alexander is training. He's come from the NHL, and we have our own way of playing the game. We're counting on everyone, we have a good, happy group.
- How do the junior Russian national team players feel?
- Marat Khusnutdinov was on the ice today. All of them are full of motivation, they want to play. I was at SKA-Neva's match against Zvezda Moscow yesterday in the VHL, and the likes of Fyodor Svechkov, Nikita Chibrikov, Yaroslav Askarov and Nikita Smirnov all played well. Arseniy Koromyslov is training with our senior team. Marat did well for us in this match, he worked hard and was solid on the penalty kill. All of our teams play in accordance with the same system. This past December was one of the best for SKA, despite the fact that we played with VHL defensemen. This proves that our system works.
- This was your first match as SKA head coach. Moreover, you were born in Saint Petersburg.
- I would like to thank the fans, they gave our team great support! We always want to play inside a full stadium. For me, it's a huge honour to be on the bench and win with these players, I was born in Leningrad and have worked all of my life for moments like these. However, we have to remember that important games are ahead of us, we're taking it step-by-step. We always say that the next match is the most important one.
- Did you feel nervous?
- My life experience helps me in such situations. Over the course of my years of work with SKA and the Russian national team, there have been several difficult moments. It was vital to make the right decisions. To be honest, this was an important step for me, we're all people.
- How many messages did you receive after becoming the head coach?
- I am grateful to the support. I think that the most warming call was from Vladimir Yurzinov, we speak on a daily basis. He has been with me all of these years, and he always really helps me. I received a lot of messages, but we have a lot of work ahead of us. We're now focusing on the next match which is very important, we have to train well tomorrow.