Lokomotiv defenseman Rushan Rafikov spoke after his team’s 3-1 victory over Ak Bars in the first game of the Gagarin Cup final series, putting them up 1-0.
– Following the intense series against Avangard, how did you find the energy for the final?
– We had time to rest and recharge emotionally. Everything is fine. We were ready for the final.
– Ak Bars played aggressively in the first period. How did you manage to impose your game later?
– In the first period, we were studying each other a bit. We were also cautious, playing at home.
– What turned the game around at the start of the second period?
– The guys created chances and converted them. There was nothing extraordinary.
– After the first goal, did you think about putting more pressure on Ak Bars?
– We always have a plan for each period. We just tried to stick to it.
– What prevented you from scoring during the 5-on-3 power play at the end?
– Special teams decide a lot in the playoffs, and Kazan’s penalty kill was excellent. We couldn’t get the final shot off; we passed too much. Sometimes you have to take responsibility.
– You didn’t look rusty at the start of this series, even though you don’t always start well.
– Sometimes we’ve had 10 days off before a series. This time it was four days. It’s good to be in rhythm.
– Does the attention on Alexander Radulov relieve pressure from the rest of the team? He seems to make the difference.
– We have 22 players on the bench and on the ice. Yes, Sasha is a spark plug. He quickly sees when the game isn’t going well. He can shout on the bench and bring the right emotions.
– How different is this Lokomotiv from last year’s version? It seems you got stronger.
– Let’s discuss that after the final.
– What will you do from the first game to the second? How do you maintain the winning momentum?
– We’ll have a meeting tomorrow. We’ll review and analyze our mistakes. There is no euphoria, – Rafikov said.
