Vladimir Krikunov, former head coach of the Russian national team, shared his thoughts on Bob Hartley, the head coach of Yaroslavl’s Lokomotiv, ahead of the Gagarin Cup final. Lokomotiv will face Ak Bars Kazan in the decisive series of the tournament. The first game is scheduled for today, May 11.
Lokomotiv (Yaroslavl) vs. Ak Bars (Kazan)
— For Anvar Gatiyatulin, this is his first Gagarin Cup final as head coach. Does that weigh on him mentally?
— Of course. There’s huge responsibility and psychological pressure. Anvar knew what he was getting into, that he would be held accountable and demands would be high. After all, Ak Bars is a team that always aims to be champion. Kazan has no other goals.
— Bob Hartley is a very experienced coach. Could he waver in the final?
— No, he won’t waver. Hartley is a very experienced and self-assured coach. He calmly leads the team and manages it wisely.
— Could fatigue from the exhausting series against Avangard affect Lokomotiv?
— I think Lokomotiv has enough strength. Look how they stepped up in overtime of Game 7 against Avangard to snatch the win. That’s exactly what the Omsk team lacked. Yaroslavl has the physical conditioning. There was a break, the guys rested. So they’ll be fully ready,