Press conference after Russia 25 confidently defeated Kazakhstan

A press conference was held following the concluding game of the 2025 Channel One Cup between Russia 25 and Kazakhstan.

Russia 25 head coach Roman Rotenberg:

"The guys did a good job by sticking to the game plan and scoring great goals. We had a lot of different events over the course of the past week, but of course our main goal was to win the Channel One Cup. We're happy that we've now won this tournament three times across the last three years!

"I really liked how the players listened to our instructions; you saw for yourselves how we moved out of defence and through the neutral zone. We struggled to convert our chances yesterday against the Belarusians, but we improved in this regard today. We maintained our high tempo throughout the match and coped with the responsibility placed on their shoulders."

Lack of rotation...

"Not everyone was fully healthy. Furthermore, I wouldn't say that the outcome of this game was clear before puck-drop. In ice hockey, anything can happen. Our team played excellently."

Staging the Channel One Cup outside of Moscow and Saint Petersburg...

"Fans across the country deserve to see the national team with their own eyes. To be honest, I've never experienced so much love for the national team as I have here in Novosibirsk! It was fantastic. There are plenty of options when it concerns where we will stage the competition next year."

Kazakhstan head coach Talgat Zhailauov:

"Russia performed at a high level; they didn't give us a single chance. Our level is lower, and a lot of the guys from Barys Astana in the KHL weren't available to play at this tournament. Not many players from this squad will compete at the World Championship next year.