Reaction following the victory against the Czech Republic in Moscow

Following the important 4:1 triumph over the Czech Republic in the second match of the 2020 Channel One Cup in Moscow, head coach Valeri Bragin and forwards Andrei Kuzmenko and Sergei Tolchinsky all spoke with the media.

Head coach Valeri Bragin:

- After we scored two quick goals, the Czechs spent the entire game trying to equalise. This was a very useful match for us. The reason we won is because we scored at the right times. Do I have any issues with Vladimir Tkachyov's performance? We play to win every game, so this is why we chose the freshest players for the third period. Those three lines saw the match out successfully. How does Anton Burdasov feel? He has received an injury. Nevertheless, if he feels fine tomorrow, he will play against Finland. Dmitry Yudin's display? Yes, he produced a very good performance today, the main thing is that his health problems are a thing of the past. He's making progress. I'm also happy with how Sergei Tolchinsky and Dmitry Samorukov performed. Will we make any more line changes? Let's see, Kirill Marchenko hasn't played yet. 

Forward Andrei Kuzmenko:

- I've scored nine goals in 16 appearances for the senior national team? To be honest, I haven't even thought about that, but it's great that I am playing well. My teammates are helping me greatly. Ivan Morozov is particularly doing well to help myself and Anton Burdasov to play better, we have good mutual understanding after playing together at club level. We understand each other very well. Anton finally scored for the national team? He's great in front of goal, he scores in practically every game in the KHL. It was only a matter of time before he scored for Russia too. In comparison to the KHL, the pace in the Euro Hockey Tour is higher, and it's interesting to play against Europe's best. You want to play at your maximum.

Forward Sergei Tolchinsky:

- I'm happy with playing today, I have lots of emotions! It was always my dream to represent Russia at senior level. However, I rushed with my shots too much, I would have done things differently in the KHL. Is it difficult playing in one line with Nikita Soshnikov? No, not at all, he is a very talented guy with great skills. Maybe I wasn't at my best in the first period, but once I got used to the level and the atmosphere in the second stanza, I started playing better. Of course, it's a shame that only 25% of the stadium's capacity can be here, but the atmosphere was still brilliant. A call-up to the national team is a big moment in my career. I want to be picked for the World Championship in May, I think that all of the players here are candidates to participate in that competition. Everyone will try to play at their best throughout the campaign to be picked by the national team coaches.