Interviews after playing Sweden in the Euro Hockey Tour

Russian national team forward Alexei Byvaltsev:

- I didn't feel pressure playing with Niktia Gusev and Evgeny Dadonov, they showed me how to play in the correct manner. We needed to take advantage of our chances to win this match. Were the Swedes better? This was only the first match, a lot of us haven't played on this level before.

Russian national team forward Nikita Soshnikov:

- In the first period, we required time to get used to the ice size here, but things became easier with time and we managed to get going in the match. I think the biggest problem was that we didn't always understand each other. It wasn't a surprise to be called up to the national team, I was hoping to be called up and kept myself in shape. Here, with the ice being bigger, you have to chase the opposing player in order to make a hit. When there was a small conflict on the ice, I mentioned a few English words to the opponents. The young coaching staff are explaining things to us, it's calm on the bench and I like that. After playing in the fourth line of the St. Louis Blues, it was hard to feel in perfect shape.

Russian national team defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov:

- With the new coaches, we need time to get used to their demands. However, we're working hard. I want to say thank you to the fans here, they supported us in a special way during today's match. We had chances to score after the puck bounced off the goalkeeper, but we didn't understimate the opponents.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation