“Siberia” - “Neftekhimik” - 2: 0. Account in the series: 1-0
The main characters of the match were goalkeepers. Alexander Vyukhin did not miss a single goal at all, and Petri Vehanen repelled 26 shots. The decisive thing was that the attack from the hosts is a little stronger than the opponent.
“Vanguard” - “Hero” - 5: 1. Account in the series: 1-0
Chekhov's club did not declare Reed Simpson's match. The hosts relaxed and forgot that Vityaz is not a very convenient opponent for them. Note that Omsk four times implemented the majority. That is, they were preparing for a possible dirty hockey from the “knights”. Two points of Alexei Cherepanov should be allocated, if only because the young hockey player first played in the playoffs.
Metallurg Mg - HC MVD - 7: 1. Account in the series: 1-0
In this game, the goalkeeper was changed, but, surprisingly, the winners did it. Travis Scott was given a rest, realizing that the opponent is playing out the season. It is interesting that Nikolay Solovyov entrusted the place in the “frame” to Alexei Anisimov, although in the last matches of the championship Evgeny Konstantinov stepped on the ice. The coach did not guess. Although, to be honest, he had no choice. Both are goalkeepers of a very average level. And, of course, the “policemen" had no chance at all when it turned out that due to an injury Alexey Chupin would not be able to go to Magnitogorsk. His experience could help the team not fall apart. But do not avoid defeat.
“Salavat Yulaev” - SKA - 2: 1 OT. Account in the series: 1-0
The score, although unexpected, is still predictable. Ufa residents met with SKA in the last match of the third round. And they probably remembered that they achieved victory, not even a charter. Hockey players probably thought that this match would end just as easily. Igor Volkov, who scored in overtime, saved the team from shame. We dare to assume that on Monday the advantage of the Bashkir club will be more tangible.
Pleased with the head coach of the guests Yuri Leonov, who got a question about the goalkeeper.
“Let's put Myshkin,” he exclaimed when they asked him why, instead of the experienced Sokolov, Belov defended the gates. “After all, experience is not the main thing here.”
It is clear that SKA simply does not have goalkeepers.
“Chemist” - “Severstal” - 3: 0. Account in the series: 1-0
And even though Chemist resembles a broken Mercedes, which you look respectfully at, but you can't drive, Severstal managed to lose in Mytishchi anyway.
Only the Cherepovets themselves and no one else are to blame for the failure. They didn’t tune, they didn’t turn on the speeds. They remembered too well that the opponent, in fact, was left without a head coach. And in the playoffs, you should not pay attention to such trifles. Unattended trio Mozyakin - Pronin - Leshchev immediately organized two goals. Vitaly Kolesnik didn’t let us down either. And although he himself did not score, unlike the game with Vityaz, he did not miss.
“Locomotive” - “Dynamo” - 3: 2. Account in the series: 1-0
After losing only one period, the team of Vladimir Krikunov was defeated in the most important first match. As if the Dynamo were not too upset. But with discipline, of course, they need to do something. It is impossible to win a series with so many deletions, and guests spent 40 minutes on the penalty box.
In any case, the most interesting pair of the first round has confirmed its reputation. It is a pity that the Sport channel, which owns the exclusive rights to broadcast the championship, frankly forgot about hockey, chasing spring football.
“Ak Bars” - “Metallurg” - 4: 2. Account in the series: 1-0
Nobody expected another result. Sergey Nikolaev deceived everyone and put in the goal of Peteris Skudra, not giving a chance to his favorite Sergei Bobrovsky. Alexey Morozov spoke very modestly - just one assist. But he has nowhere to rush.
CSKA Moscow - Lada - 4: 1. Account in the series: 1-0
The Lada coach challenged the legality of the two goals of the army team. Indeed, Judge Polyakov was pretty nervous and, possibly, influenced the outcome of the meeting. On Monday, rest assured that CSKA will have even more “dry” hockey than in the first meeting. And it’s not at all a fact that red-blue will win again.
Alexey Shevchenko