Sibir coach Luzenkov: Luck has to be earned after loss to Ak Bars

Sibir head coach Yaroslav Luzenkov said his side must go to the crease to score, after a 2-3 shootout defeat by Ak Bars. "Right now 90% of goals are scored that way," he said.

Asked why the team struggles to finish, Luzenkov said he had no ready answer. "If I knew the answer to that question, it would probably be easy to solve the problem. I said that luck has to be earned. In some games we lack a bit of fortune: the puck doesn't bounce where it should, it hits the post. Luck has to be earned. Work, work and work again. If the puck won't go into the net, then, figuratively, you have to take it in your teeth and carry it in there yourself. That's the only way. One reason is that we need to be in front of the goal. At least one forward has to go there and screen the goalkeeper."

He was also asked whether the team looked more cohesive and mobile without Kuznetsov and Bek. "They are a little slower in speed. They need to pick it up," Luzenkov said. "Simply waiting for the power play is too much of a luxury for us at the moment."

Vorobyov was given a chance because of injuries, the coach said. "We hoped that on emotion he might even score." Of the newcomer Yaremchuk he said: "He's quick, a fast lad. He can play in the centre and on the wing, and cover a position when we are short-handed. We expect mobility from him, so that he gives us more movement."

On competitive edge, Luzenkov said it had been in order in the previous game already. "Today the lads fought for each other. If they carry on the same way, it should build up."

If Sibir act on his own diagnosis, the change would show first in where the forwards stand in front of the opposing goal.