‘I believe they were looking down from above’
Reaction to Lokomotiv’s Gagarin Cup triumph.
Alexander Radulov was named playoff MVP after Lokomotiv’s win. The 38-year-old led his team in scoring with16 (7+9) points in 21 games – the best return for a player of his age in KHL history.
After winning the second Gagarin Cup of his career, Radulov said: “It was really tough, every game was tight. Traktor is a strong team, they proved that throughout the season and in this series. It think the fans enjoyed the series. Maybe it finished quicker than people wanted, but I can say that every game in the series could have gone either way. I have to give Traktor their dues, and congratulate our guys. Lokomotiv suffered a really tough loss last year, and Yaroslavl deserved to get back to the final and win it!”
Radulov also dedicated this season’s triumph to the Lokomotiv team lost in the air crash at the start of the 2011/2012 season. “I believe that they were looking down from above and gave us some kind of energy,” he said. “I’m so grateful to them. At last, we’ve done it!”
The Lokomotiv forward hoisted the cup for the second time in his career, 14 years after he fired Salavat Yulaev to glory in 2011. But he was reluctant to draw comparisons between two championship team.
“So much time has passed, I don’t really know,” he added. “The rules were a bit different back then. In Ufa we had a really tough series with Metallurg in the semi-final, seven games. And in the final against Atlant.
“Both teams were strong, there’s not much point in trying to separate them. When you are the champion, that means you’re the strongest. That’s the most important thing.”
Lokomotiv head coach Igor Nikitin
I still haven’t taken it in, to be honest. I’m so grateful to Yaroslavl. Everything is honest, I feel very comfortable. I was happy to see the guys thanking our fans.
You’re the only coach to win the regular season and the Gagarin Cup in the same season, and now you’ve done it twice. What’s the secret?
It’s not me, it’s all the guys. They put so much health, emotion and heart into it.
What did you say to Radulov after the game?
So many people called to ask why we signed him. That’s why. I’m very grateful to Sanya and I hope the feeling is mutual. There aren’t many players like him. Radulov was the missing piece of the jigsaw, he’s the cherry on the cake.
Would you agree that this title is also a tribute to those who died in 2011?
We have deep respect to the parents and relatives of those guys. We went to the memorial as a team, we remember and respect them. This their victory too.
What would you say to people who think Lokomotiv’s game is boring?
For the next couple of days we’ll drink some cognac and think about it. That’s our work. We need results. And the work of journalists and pundits is also part of hockey.
Lokomotiv captain Alexander Yelesin
I can’t even describe how great this is. To make this journey with my guys, who were born in Yaroslavl, who grew up here ... We knew how last year’s final would play on our minds. But this is a new story and we wrote it for Yaroslavl, and for the guys we lost in 2011. We have the greatest of respect for those who came before us, for the club’s history. We gave it 100%. Working with Nikitin, we understood that we need to be ourselves, to listen to our hearts. You don’t win games on the ice, but in your heads as well. The way you respond to adversity, your mental strength, that’s also important.
Lokomotiv goalie Daniil Isayev
It’s an incredible feeling, there’s nothing compares to this. It’s been so long since we’ve had anything like this. Since last year’s final, we were all in a state of mobilization, we couldn’t even breathe out. Now, it’s such a relief!
Just before overtime we just talked about doing out thing, playing like we always do. Everyone fighting for loose pucks. And it worked. We’re the champions!
Lokomotiv forward Nikita Kiryanov
It’s unreal. I’ve never experienced anything like this, it’s the happiest day of my life! Winning on home ice is priceless.
