- Anton, this year CSKA did something incredible by going to the semifinals of the championship. Don't you have that feeling?
- I think that everything is natural. Because with the arrival of Vyacheslav Arkadevich (Bykov) in the club, we were given the task of returning fans and the glorious times of CSKA to the stands. Something began to turn out. In the end, this season clearly showed that not everyone decides money. Therefore, I am sure that next year we will definitely win medals.
“Somehow you are talking too convincingly about this ...”
- For some reason I have such confidence.
- Immediately after the match, a team meeting took place. What was it about?
- Thanked for the past season. And then they talked about plans for the coming month.
“And what kind of plans do you have, if not secret?”
- Now the team receives two weeks of vacation. Of course, with the exception of those who leave for various teams. Well, after the holidays, we begin training, which will end in late April. And in May, we will begin a full vacation.
- Now we are talking in a relaxed atmosphere, but just a few minutes ago the team went out to the fans. How do you like the meeting?
- What is happening now before leaving the club’s office cannot be expressed in words. Joy just to tears ...
- You yourself jumped together with the fans.
- Yes, it was. These are sincere emotions, joy. That's cool!
- Let's talk about the series with Ak Bars. How do you rate your game in these matches? Not specifically yours, but the entire team.
- I believe that all matches with Kazan we had exactly. There were no physical downturns, they demonstrated their hockey and were in no way inferior to the opponent. But today, no luck. Although there was confidence that the trip to the fifth match in Kazan would definitely take place. Alas, did not use a lot of scoring chances. But we are certainly not weaker than Ak Bars. In the quarter finals, of course, we had more strength. “Salavat Yulaev” we ran across. Which, in principle, is not surprising, our team is young.
- What did Bykov say when he took a timeout?
“What could he say?” Words do not matter at such a moment. Everyone understands what a huge responsibility lies on our shoulders. It was necessary to make the last spurt, give everything out. Well, it didn’t work out. That is life.
- “Ak Bars” added in comparison with yesterday's match?
- Yes. But it was clear that the Kazan squeezed the last juices out of themselves. Therefore, I think that “Magnitogorsk” will still say “thank you” to us, because “Ak Bars” will fit exhausted into the finale.
- Isn't “Magnitogorsk” worn out by the confrontation with “Vanguard”?
- The current situation is fundamentally different from last year. Indeed, in the last season, Ak Bars won almost all series, including the final, 3-0. I think that we, like no other, have patched Kazan’s nerves this season. Therefore, fans expect an exciting finale.
- Now you realized that at least two matches played on an equal footing with the club champion of Europe?
- CSKA will soon also be the champion of Europe.
Nikolay FEDORENKO