PLATONOV: MY CLUB’S ACHIEVEMENTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s Denis Platonov scored four goals in the match against Salavat Yulaev to head the list of KHL best scorers.


"I am not interested in my personal statistics, because my club’s achievements are more important", Platonov said. "I think we made one step in the right direction even though we suffered a loss in overtime".

"I don’t set the task to win the title of the league’s top scorer, since I repeat that my club’s success and Gagarin Cup are priority things for me".

"Many people criticized Metallurg after the first two games of the season, but you need to give us time for adaptation as we have new head coach Kari Heikkila. I promise that we will improve our results"

AK BARS TOOK 2-0 LEAD OVER MAGNITOGORSK

Ak Bars took 2-0 lead in KHL play-off quarterfinal series against Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Eastern Conference.


Metallurg Magnitogorsk – Ak Bars 0:4 (0:1, 0:3, 0:0). Saturday, 20 March

Best players: Morozov (A); Vehanen (A); Kapanen (A)

Metallurg Magnitogorsk – Ak Bars 2:3 (0:0, 0:1, 2:2). Sunday, 21 March

Best players: Morozov (A); Vehanen (A); Chistov (M)

Score in the series 0-2

"When your team is behind, you should do something", said Metallurg head coach Valeriy Belousov after the second match of the series. "Changes in the lineup helped a little bit, but in play-off it’s important when goalkeeper saves his team. Goalie has no right to concede goals, like it happened today".

Salavat Yulaev - Neftekhimik 6:2 (3:1, 1:1, 2:0). Saturday, 20 March

Best players: Radulov (S); Kir. Koltsov (S); Kalinin (S)

Salavat Yulaev – Neftekhimik 1:2 OT (0:1, 1:0, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1). Sunday, 21 March

Best players: Kasutin (N); Yakutsenya (N); Radulov (S)

Score in the series 1-1

VELICHKIN: WE NEED TO FORGET ABOUT THIS LOSS

Yesterday Barys sensationally crushed leader of the KHL regular season Metallurg Magnitogorsk 7:1.

Barys – Metallurg Magnitogorsk 7:1 (3:0, 2:0, 2:1)

Leader of the championship suffered the most crushing defeat in the season, while the goalkeeper Proskuryakov was replaced for the first time. The only one positive moment for Metallurg was comeback of Czech forward Jan Marek after he shook off his injury.

General director of Metallurg Magnitogorsk Gennadiy Velichkin commented on his club’s sensational loss to Barys.


"It was a tough day", said Velichkin after his club suffered 1-7 loss to Barys. "All coaches, players and managers were disappointed by this defeat".

"All teams face such moments in their history and we just need to overcome it. Even unbeatable Soviet national team suffered losses to weaker opponents".

"Our players did their best, but the hosts were better prepared and wanted to win more than Metallurg".

"Of course we have no right for such defeats and thanks God that match has already gone down in history. We need to forget about it and prepare for the next games".