Reaction following the first match of the Liga Stavok St. Petersburg Cup

Following the opening match of the 2022 Liga Stavok St. Petersburg Cup between the senior and junior Russian national teams, coaches and players of both sides shared their opinions.

Russia head coach Sergei Zubov:

- It was a good, tense game. Our young opponents managed to put us under some pressure. It was difficult for us to turn the match around in the third period, but we managed to do it. I liked the movement today, the guys competed hard against each other. We're happy that we have the opportunity to play at such a high level.

Russia U20 head coach Vladimir Filatov:

- This match has given our players a lot of things to learn. Overall, the opponents spent more time inside the attacking zone. Nevertheless, I thanked my guys for their performance on the ice. In the third period, we conceded two goals within a very short space of time, the game was lost during those couple of shifts. When you play against such a strong opponent, they will take advantage of any opportunity you give them.

Russia forward Marat Khusnutdinov:

- Both teams tried really hard, it made for a good match. None of us felt relaxed, we knew that it would be a tough game. We struggled to score initially, but we agreed to crash the net harder in the third period. When you play for the national team, your goal is only to win, it doesn't matter who you are playing against.

Russia forward Nikita Chibrikov:

- It was a good, even game, the strongest team won.

Russia U20 defenseman Vladimir Grudinin:

- I have emotions left in me following the KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs, I'm full of desire to play in matches and try my best.

Russia U20 forward Prokhor Poltapov:

- The senior team has players the same age as us. But, they do have a couple of guys who are older, and they managed to make the difference in this game. It's disappointing that we conceded those two markers in the third frame, but the opponents have more experience than us. Their experience of playing in the KHL helped them, they require less time in which to make a decision with the puck. On the other hand, we need more time to think.