Kozlov happy with Shipachev despite Salavat's 3-4 loss to Metallurg

Kozlov was asked whether he expected more from a forward who is not yet in top condition.

"I am happy with Vadim's play," Kozlov said. "In today's episode the opponent played well and intercepted the pass. That is hockey. If we talk about the role we signed Shipachev for, and how he is playing now, then I am happy with his play." The pass he referred to was a turnover in a power play.

Kozlov rejected the suggestion that his side began the game nervously. "It only seemed that way. We started normally," he said. "We simply could not control the puck, there were many rebounds and losses. It is not a matter of concentration." He said Metallurg pressed hard and sat deep, and that his players tried to break out with passes under pressure. "Naturally, mistakes sometimes came."

On the penalties, he pointed to rule changes. "What used to be allowed is now forbidden, while the players' skills stay the same," Kozlov said. "When you step on the ice your pulse is high, you are gasping, and you can reflexively hit a stick or a glove. Those habits have remained. I consider them bad habits and they need work."

Salavat pulled the goalkeeper for a sixth skater on 52 minutes while trailing. "We were behind and wanted to equalise," Kozlov said. "A good chance to play with two extra men. I hope there will not be many such situations." Asked whether he would have done the same four years ago, he said: "I find it hard to say what decision I would have made then. But after working as a head coach, you gain experience."

He described the match as a good one from both sides. "There were enough chances. I liked the team's character, they fought back and battled to the end," Kozlov said. He put the difference down to duels: "Both teams played on the edge, you had to win the battles. In some of them we lost a little."

Two forwards sat out. "Panin was given a rest," Kozlov said. On Maxim Kuznetsov he said the fourth line had played well in the previous game, so he left it unchanged. Asked about Yegor Suchkov, who has scored points in only 2 games this season, he said: "He is playing fine, as is the whole line. Production? For now it is what it is, but he is a responsible lad and I am calm about it."

Kozlov did not think the extra day between games had affected the team. There were 3 games, then a week's break, he said, and the players have to adapt and prepare fully for every match.

Salavat are fourth in the Eastern Conference with 9 points from 7 games. Next comes an away game against Dynamo Moscow on 26 September, which Kozlov called a difficult trip.