Mitch Love: Shanghai lost their way in 2nd period of 3:2 win

Shanghai head coach Mitch Love said his side lost their way in the 2nd period of the 3:2 win over Avtomobilist, and recovered only after Yashkin's goal.

"We got a bit lost in the second period. Avtomobilist played well, but after Yashkin's goal we let our guard down," Love said.

Shanghai had taken 8 penalty minutes in the last 10 minutes. "Taking a penalty at the end was unacceptable. It was an important moment in the game," he said.

The match came after a week's break and a 2:7 defeat by SKA. Love said the squad had plenty of time to go through that game and did not work only on physical condition. "We have a difficult schedule, a tight calendar. We find room for rest to reset," he said. He said the effort was much better than in the previous game and the start was a good one. "This is what we talked about through the week. Today we showed it, and I liked that very much."

Asked why Avtomobilist held the initiative at times, Love pointed to their personnel. "They are a good team, they have elite players, Sprong and Ruzicka. They can turn the game. They have a new coach, and I think he is trying to find his game. When you lose the puck they make good use of it. They do not need much time and space to do that."

Khripunov and Kuznetsov played for Avtomobilist, and Love was asked whether Shanghai prepared for them in a special way. "Yes, we note that at pre-game meetings," he said. In this game, Sprong and Ruzicka opened up space for Shanghai late on. "I have to watch all the combinations. It happens that sometimes some players play more, sometimes less."

If the discipline lapse carries over, it may cost Shanghai more against a side that scores from turnovers, as Love described Avtomobilist.