The Gagarin Cup final is just around the corner – on Monday afternoon, the puck will drop at the Arena-2000 in Yaroslavl for the series between Ak Bars and Lokomotiv. While Yaroslavl is still recovering from an intense series against Avangard, Ak Bars has had a full week of rest, making their games against Metallurg Magnitogorsk feel like a distant memory.
The team was given several days off, and training sessions resumed on Thursday, including open practices with fans – a tradition that began in the playoffs and has been well-received by the club. After one such session, Kazan defender Ilya Karpukhin spoke with us.
**”The human body has limited resources – that’s where we have an advantage”**
**– Are you already fully focused on the final, with the emotions from the Metallurg series in the past?**
– Of course, that series is over and now it’s history. Once you get past an opponent, you take a day to catch your breath and prepare for the next challenge. You look forward to the new goal.
**– How did you spend your free time? I saw on social media that you went to a banya.**
– We had a team event – the next day, we all went to the banya together. We had a good steam, recovered well, and now we’re ready for the workdays ahead.
**– Did any of the foreign players ask about the traditions of the Russian banya? Was there some kind of initiation?**
– No, nothing like that. They’ve been playing in the KHL for a few seasons now, so they know how things work here. We just wanted to enjoy some time together, steam, and relax both body and soul.
**– Did you watch the Lokomotiv vs. Avangard series-deciding game together as a team?**
– Those games were late, so it wasn’t convenient to gather. Everyone watched at home.
**– What were your emotions while watching? You must have been surprised by the outcome.**
– I was just watching with interest, thinking about which opponent would be better for us, and I realized it’s hard to choose. Both teams are very good and strong – whoever came out of that series, it wasn’t going to be easy.
**– Lokomotiv is riding a wave of momentum after that incredible semifinal. Will it be tough to stop such a team?**
– This is the final – anything can happen. Sure, they’re probably on an emotional high, but that shouldn’t concern or bother us at all. We need to focus not on the opponent, but on ourselves, our game, and our actions. Think about ourselves first. As for the opponent’s condition, mindset, or emotional state – frankly, we don’t care.
**– The eternal dilemma: what’s better – to stay in game shape or to rest?**
– Now we’ll find out. It’s a double-edged sword. From a physiological standpoint, I think we have the advantage. The human body has limited resources, so that should show. The other guys have had less rest; we’ve had more. We’ll see how it plays out.
The semifinal between Lokomotiv and Avangard will be remembered for years:
Drama, miracle, overcoming. “Lokomotiv” vs. “Avangard” – the greatest KHL semifinal in history.
**– You only faced Lokomotiv twice during the regular season. What do you remember about them?**
– Yaroslavl is a tough opponent, a system-based team – that’s obvious. They’ve been building this squad for years. A foreign coach, in some ways a more Western system. Their style is clear, it’s understandable. There are no big surprises or secrets for us.
**”It’s a good trend that we’re not the media favorites – let it continue”**
**– In your opinion, has Lokomotiv changed much under Hartley compared to the Nikitin era?**
– I wouldn’t say it’s drastically different. Of course, there are changes – a new coach always brings a new vision, new moments and aspects to the game. He notices things and adjusts them to his own view of hockey. But I wouldn’t say there are fundamental changes and that it’s a completely different team.
**– Did Hartley add more Western-style touches, making the team more versatile and attacking?**
– Yes, I think you can say that.
**– Lokomotiv has a very disciplined and tight defensive line. Will it be difficult to break through?**
