NEMCHINOV: I GUESS THERE WILL BE FIVE GAMES IN OUR SERIES

Representatives of KHL Western Division clubs participating in Gagarin Cup first play-off round shared their feelings on the coming matches.


SKA (1) – Dynamo (8)

Barry Smith, head coach of SKA: "Dynamo Riga play very good hockey. Even on Sunday match with Salavat Yulaev they held three-goal lead, so our coming rivalry with this team will be a tough test for us".

Julius Supler, head coach of Dynamo Riga: "We have already fulfilled the first task of this season, that was to reach play-offs. But it doesn’t mean that our goal for the first knockout round will be worthy play against SKA".

"Our management has already set the next target for us and we will need to advance to the semifinals of our conference. We stole only one victory from Barry Smith’s team out of four games in the regular championship, so we will have to invent something new to beat them".

HC MVD (2) – CSKA (7)

Andrey Safronov, general director of HC MVD: "Our managing staff was afraid to face Dynamo Riga in the first play-off round. At recent meeting of the KHL clubs’ managers Dynamo’s representative said that playoff series between our clubs would provoke considerable public excitement".

"But it doesn’t mean that we underestimate CSKA, because there are no weak teams in play-off. We lost twice to the Moscow side in shootout series and I am concerned about unpleasant statistics".

Sergey Nemchinov, head coach of CSKA: "If someone thinks that our team got lucky ticket by escaping meeting with SKA in quarterfinals, he is wrong. HC MVD is well-organized team, which deservedly won the top place in the Tarasov division".

"Our opponents have many strong sides – perfect team-play and excellent goalie. I would also mention brilliant work of their head coach Oleg Znarok".

"In order to achieve success in the series against this club, we will need to stick to strict discipline. Much will depend on our power play".

"Our team came to play-off series in ideal form, as only Dimitrakos is slightly injured, but I think he will be able to play against HC MVD. I guess the series will be very difficult and we will need five matches to determine the winner".

Dynamo Moscow (3) – Spartak (6)

Andrey Khomutov, head coach of Dynamo: "When it was clear that we would play Spartak, I though that it would be a perfect opportunity to take revenge on them for our three losses in regular season. To my mind it will be additional motivation for the team in Gagarin Cup quarterfinals".

"We need to recall our mistakes, which didn’t let us defeat Spartak in regular championship. First of all we will stake at defence".

Atlant (4) – Lokomotiv (5)

Nikolay Borschevsky, head coach of Atlant: "The coming series against Lokomotiv will be very interesting and tense. I don’t want to guess how many games we will play".

"The fact, that we will have little advantage because of home arena, is pleasant, but it won’t be enough for victory".


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