06 February 2024

Barys - Amur. Trainer's comments

After the match Barys – Amur (0:2) a press conference was held with the Head Trainers of both teams.

Andrei Martemyanov, Amur's Head Trainer

- First, I'd like to acknowledge the play of both puckstoppers. Very good performance. On the match: in the first period, of course, Amur played more interesting. Barys played better in the second period. There was no way to lose focus. Barys played a very good, quality offensive game in the second period. The third period was equal. Glad we converted the fewest chances for a goal, that helped us in this confrontation I'd say. Second goal into an empty net - guys have already played more or less in defense. Equal match, the opponents are worthy of each other. But we scored and won.

- What are the pros and cons of doubles matches?

- There are pros and cons. The fact is, teams are learning about each other. Subtleties can decide the outcome of a match in either direction. Especially when there is an equal game with the opponent, you have to use the chances in attack one hundred percent to win such matches. I remember since Soviet time we used to play like that a lot. You can win the first game 5-1, you'll get burned the second. There's a peculiarity here, of course. The players need to work on improving in psychology. Forget the match win and prepare that there will be serious wrestling next.

- Dmitry Shevchenko is having hardly the best season of his career at Amur. Any comment on his appointment as captain?

- He's having his best season, honestly. A lot of guys are having their best season with us: Barulin, Korshkov and a number of other players. But it's not a fact that it will always be, you have to always work on yourself. And about the choice of captain - our captain Evgeny Grachyov got injured and passed his "armband" to Dima. Dima is keeping the fight on the feet for now, well done.

Oleg Bolyakin, acting head trainer of Barys

- First of all, I want to apologize to our fans who cheer for us, support the team. It was an even game and the experienced players earned unwarranted penalties that led to the loss. Although I'm happy about the fact that the youth played well today. Today in the lineup we had 13 players from Kazakhstan. The lads have created enough chances, but our problem so far is that we can't capitalize on the chances we create. It left such a bad feeling.

- Your colleague from Amur noted the play of our defense. Did you play harder today?

- Goalies played well, and the defense played well. Basically, I'm saying there are no big complaints about the players. What they can do, they do. I will say that the guys are playing hard. There's not as much rotation and the ability to give someone a rest. We have Rudolf Cerveny out, he has an injury. I repeat that our youth worked well today, played aggressively, created good pressure on the opponents.

- Just yesterday Dinmukhamed Kaiyrzhan played for Snezhnye Barsy, today he's already playing for Barys. Will you have him in mind for upcoming matches and away games?

- Sure. That's our reserve. That's why we give them game practice with the Snezhnye Barsy. That's where they get the baggage they need.

- At the very end of the match our team received a suspension, but you decided to replace the puckstopper with a field player. Why?

- We had to pull the match out, it's hard to score with four against five. To equalize some chances we decided to change the puckstopper and at least play five on five.