12 November 2023

Barys - Severstal. Trainer's comments

After the match Barys - Severstal (4:1) a press conference was held with the Head Trainers of both teams.

Andrei Kozyrev, Severstal Head Trainer

- The key factor in today's defeat of Severstal was the play of the specialty teams. We conceded two pucks in the shorthanded, this moment influenced the outcome of the match.

- You had control of the puck, yet you gave the game away.

- We always try to control the puck, swapp passes. Today I would like to mention the opponent's puckstopper. He had a great game, and he just shut our attempts down. We haven't found a key to him.

- There was a powerplay at the end, you didn't want to take the puckstopper off?

- It was obvious that our game wasn't going well. It was at this point, at the end. When you needed accuracy in throwing and passing. That's exactly the point we were missing.

- Does the fact that you have seven roadstand games in this series affect you?

- It's certainly having an impact. The fact that we've been playing on the roadstand for so long is a factor. The absence due to injury of Ruslan Abrosimov, who just closes this position of the game in the shorthanded position, had a big impact on today's outcome. Actually, he's lacking in the powerplay as well. There is a personnel reshuffle, we are changing links. But it was Ruslan's absence that affected the game. Everyone is on equal footing. We don't complain, we play on, keep going. One more match to go. We'll do our best to win.

Galym Mambetaliyev, Acting Barys Head Trainer

- We were analyzed opponent, a very efficient and fast team. Their powerplay are pretty good. The guys did well, only missed in the beginning in the shorthanded position. Then they scored on time on the power play themselves, finally. Felt the game. Pasquale played well on the last line today. Pulled the team, but the whole team was united today, wanted to win. They took it to the end of the match, to the victory.

- Barys has not defeated on its ice Severstal since October 6, 2019, today it succeeded. What aspects of the game are you particularly happy with, and where do you see room for improvement?

- Still a lot of mistakes. Young guys need to play with more confidence. They will gain experience over time. They'll play with more confidence. I think it's necessary to improve everything. Functionally, tactically. We have to move faster. The KHL has fast hockey. So we need to be quick here. But the most important thing is to believe in yourself and the team. Then you'll get a lot out of it.

- What do you think of Apalkov's debut, and why did they put him in the center of the first line?

- A man with a lot of experience in the KHL. No secrets for him. I think he'll get into his rhythm, start playing a little faster, and everything will be fine. And in the first lineup, wanted to improve on having someone to hand out to those hockey players who play with him.