| Avangard returned Valery Belousov to active coaching and returned star Oleg Tverdovsky from the NHL to the Russian Super League. The Omsk club was rewarded handsomely - it was the coach and captain who did not allow the team to fall into confusion after an unsuccessful start to the final series. And after the fifth match, they answered questions from a correspondent of the newspaper “Vremya Novostey” as triumphants.
- Valery Konstantinovich, - the first question is addressed to BELOUSOV, - what helped the team win the decisive match?
- Do you mean a shootout series? So the guys back in Omsk believed that they could score goals, they knew how to do it. This confidence determined success in the decisive match.
- Which match was the turning point in the series?
-- First game in Omsk. Without a doubt! We had to save the final, losing 0:2 in matches, and we succeeded. We also lost in the fourth match... It was difficult to get out. But even then I didn’t scold the guys. I just made a few changes and said that I believe in them, that I understand how exhausted they are. And yet you need to pull out of yourself some additional, last reserves. What was the situation like? Lose today, go on vacation tomorrow. Only not with gold, but with silver medals. He scolded some, and, on the contrary, praised others. And they pulled out the match.
- I can imagine how your cats scratched their souls when the score was 0:2.
- I went into the locker room, I saw that my “hawks” were confused. He said that I understand - they did everything they could. But I don't believe that we can lose this match. Yes, we conceded two goals, but there are still two periods ahead. You can throw both three and four yourself. I believed in the team until the end, and they believed in me. That's the whole secret!
-- In the last match, Avangard was denied a very controversial goal. There was no desire, following the example of Peter Vorobyov, to take the team away from the site. It was a critical moment!
- Well, what are you talking about?! I told the guys that even if the puck didn’t count, they had to play until the end. And God, he sees everything. I would not like to condemn the judge until I myself look at this moment in the recording. I think that we would not file a protest in any case.
-What does this “gold” mean to you?
-- First of all the guys needed it. They had been going to him for too long. But I just felt that we were no weaker than Magnitogorsk. So why should they give in? I like to trust players and I like it when they trust me. And I’ll emphasize once again: in order to win three matches in a row after two defeats, you have to be real men! Omsk proved to themselves that they can play and win in any situation.
—What were the first words you said to the players when you took over the team in the fall?
— That it doesn’t suit Omsk to hang around in 13th place. I see that you are good craftsmen and know how to play hockey. So let's get out of the swamp you've fallen into together. There was no need to convince or persuade anyone.
- Oleg, - appeal to TVERDOVSKY, - the last seasons have been successful for you. After winning the Stanley Cup, we immediately won the Russian Championship.
- I wanted this with all my soul. You quickly get used to the taste of victory. Having felt it once, you strive to experience it again and again.
— Admit it, during the series there were moments when it seemed like that was it, the finale was lost?
- I never doubted success. I'm used to believing in victory until the end. I am convinced that without this it is impossible to win. The games in Omsk were turning points. “Avangard” hasn’t won in shootouts for so long! The victory on free kicks inspired us. It was like a sign of fate! As for the fourth match, which we pulled out with a 0:2 score... Omsk has always been famous for its character. Every last one of our team is a fighter. Maybe luck smiled on us then. But we deserve it. That's for sure!
— Surely a victory in Russia increases your chances in the NHL market. What are your plans for the future?
— I received offers from the NHL during the season. But I’m happy with everything in Omsk. Therefore, I signed a fairly solid two-year contract with Avangard. I'm not going to change anything. I am pleased to perform in front of my fans. And especially to win at home! And in general, I'm glad I'm back! Interviewed by Vitaly PAVLYSH, Omsk
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