“Knight” - “Vanguard” - 0: 1. Account in the series: 0-3 (1: 5, 0: 5, 0: 1)
It was not necessary to stop Mike Krushelniski from making a team at the beginning of the season. But, recall, with his club, this Canadian was at one time in the top eight. But then those who did not need to do this began to intervene in the coach’s work. The Chekhovites fell and fell in the standings and ran into the Omsk Avangard. As a result, one goal in three meetings - and the departure from the tournament. No wonder. Omsk club avoided serious personnel losses (Cherepanov’s injury turned out to be light) and can calmly concentrate on the next opponent.
“Neftekhimik” - “Siberia” - 2: 0. Account in the series: 1-2 (0: 2, 2: 3 OT, 2: 0)
The Nizhnekamsk team, under the leadership of Ayrat Kadeikin, simply had to win the home meeting. And just like they lost in the first Novosibirsk match. Both in terms of count and character, the meeting was stubborn, "on the teeth." More fortunate to the hosts, who scored both goals in the last period. Note Vehanen, who played “to zero”.
HC MVD - Metallurg Mg - 2: 3. Account in the series: 0-3 (1: 7, 2: 5, 2: 3)
This was probably the last match of Nikolai Solovyov as the head coach of the departmental club. According to our information, the dismissal of the coach occurs in the best traditions of the police. First, the leaders stopped talking with Solovyov, then they told him through third parties that negotiations were underway with new specialists. And then they just threw in information that there would be another coach.
Despite this, the young team of the HC MVD fought to the end and completed the series with a decent score. True, it is necessary to make a discount on the fact that it was very difficult for the Urals to tune in to an opponent who conceded 12 goals in two Magnitogorsk matches.
Interestingly, Solovyov again put in the gates of Anisimov. And he again did not save the team when this could be done. Another point on the account of Kudrna, who in the playoffs became the best player on the team.
SKA - “Salavat Yulaev” - 2: 3 B. Account in the series: 0-3 (1: 2 OT, 2: 4, 2: 3 B)
The fact of a stubborn fight in every match of this series suggests that in the next round the Ufa team will have a hard time. No power, no stability. Although the applicant for medals (and “Salavat Yulaev” is considered as capable of taking bronze medals), such components should be mandatory in the characterization.
The third match ended with free throws, which for the playoffs, of course, is nonsense. Would you play yourself until someone throws the puck, what's the problem? But a long overtime in Russia is intended only for the final decisive match.
Now, by the way, it will be interesting to watch SKA. What will happen to them? Will Maxim Sushinsky, who has now been deprived of 33 percent of his salary, remain as a hockey player who has not completed the task for the season?
Dynamo - Lokomotiv - 2: 4. Account in the series: 0-3 (2: 3, 3: 4, 2: 4)
Blue and white could not impose a fight on the opponent. Although the teams are absolutely equal class. Dynamo did not have the opportunity to properly prepare for the championship in the summer - there was no money. The railwaymen were shaking in the middle of the season - two coaches were changed there. As a result, the best selection of hockey players affected. And the fact that Semyon Varlamov managed to overcome the decline in his game.
Metallurg Nk - Ak Bars - 3: 5. Account in the series: 0-3 (2: 4, 3: 7, 3: 5)
What can we expect from the team whose coach says after the second defeat: “I have a kindergarten, no one knows how to play here”? Only such a result.
“Lada” - CSKA - 3: 4 OT. Account in the series: 0-3 (1: 4, 4: 5, 3: 4 OT)
Emelin relied on Koshechkina. And did not guess. He didn’t even give a chance to Fountin, who also gave out crackers during the season (sometimes in a row) and showed psychological stability (he didn’t send a trainer on airplanes). Now it’s clear that Koshechkin has not reached the level of the national team. And it will be great stupidity to take him to the national team.
And the one who will take or not take Koshechkin, Vyacheslav Bykov did not take the chance to start preparations for the World Cup early. The team will have to wait.
Note the third goal in the playoffs of Alexei Simakov. But in the championship he excelled only four times.
Alexey Shevchenko