Captain of Yekaterinburg “Motorist” Sergei Chirokov answering questions from , explained how the old and new arenas of St. Petersburg SKA .
On Sunday, Avtomobilist defeated SKA with a score of 3:2 in the first match of the second round of the Fonbet KHL Championship playoffs. The St. Petersburg club moved to the SKA Arena in February, which can accommodate 21,500 spectators.
— “Avtomobilist” previously did not succeed in the playoffs, but now you have an excellent goalkeeper Evgeniy Alikin. How important is this factor?
— A top goalkeeper is important and psychology plays an even bigger role. Last season, in the first round (3-4 in the series with Metallurg), the psychology was simply not enough. This negative lesson now serves us well. We fully understand that we can play against any opponent if we stick to our hockey and our tactics and do what the coaching staff requires of us. And the fact that we can beat others.
— Was it unusual to play at the SKA Arena for the first time?
— I have played several times in St. Petersburg, but today the feeling was different. Of course, you still have to get used to the SKA Arena. And so, a nice, big palace, with lots of spectators. But the atmosphere that reigned at the Ice Palace no longer exists. Judging by the time when I myself played for SKA. I didn’t feel it. And thank you to our fans. They were sitting very high, but we heard and saw them.
— Shufutinsky performs from the Avtomobilist locker room with the hit “Serega-Captain”. Did you choose the song?
– Yes, it was the first time she played! I don’t even know in whose honor it is and who put it there. But I paid attention and was happy, ”Shirokov answered questions from a correspondent.
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Source : MatchTV
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