Vladislav Khromykh: "The players are fighting for each other"

Russian men's student national team had coach Vladislav Khromykh:

- We didn't give the players special tactics for the third period, we had the same game plan for the whole of the match. A lot of players are unwell with a virus at the moment, but hopefully they will recover in time for the next match. Nevertheless, the guys are prepared to fight hard for each other. We've got a disciplinary problem though, too many penalties are being taken. We can't choose who we play against, we can't make mistakes in any matches.

Russian men's student national team forward Ivan Ivanov:

- You can never play the perfect match, but we are trying to stick to the game plan given. Japan have a good, fast team, but they don't have enough quality. After missing my chances in the first two games, I finally managed to score today. It's a big honour being assistant captain.

Russian men's student national team defenseman Roman Kudinov:

- The guys did a good job and stuck to the game plan. We were more focused for the third period, we want to keep this mentality going for the quarter-final stage. We don't mind if we have to play Japan again, we know what they are about. It's great that we are being supported so well in Kazakhstan, it feels as though we are playing at home.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation