Lokomotiv head coach Bob Hartley shared his thoughts on his team’s 3-1 win over Ak Bars in Game 1 of the Gagarin Cup Finals, giving them a 1-0 series lead.
“It’s a big win, especially after the emotional sixth and seventh games against Avangard. I was hoping for a strong start to the series because after such a tough test, you can subconsciously relax. We had a decent first period, though we could have played better. The second period was outstanding and became the key to victory. We adapted, started putting pressure on their net, and scored three crucial goals. The second period was decisive, and we played reliably in the third. Isaev was incredible.”
When asked about the line changes made in the first period, Hartley explained: “We based it on the opponent’s lineup. We discussed it for a couple of days. Before the game, we decided to go with it. I had a gut feeling it would work, and those lines played a good game.”
Regarding the team’s inability to score on a 5-on-3 power play, Hartley stated: “We need to get more shots on goal.”
