“Vanguard” - “Hero” - 5: 0. Account in the series: 2-0 (5: 1, 5: 0)
With all due respect to the difficult profession of tough guy, Reed Simpson acted like a pig, almost injuring Alexei Cherepanov. And partly FHR is to blame for this, still not recognizing the profession of a “policeman” in modern hockey. It's like playing with the red line. Atavism. If there were a fighter in Omsk, they would be removed for an honest fight for 5 minutes, Simpson simply would not get to the rising star. Would be cut down on the approaches. When will everyone understand that good players must be protected?
If we talk about hockey, then everything was clear even at that moment when the pairs were determined. Note that the hosts scored three goals in the majority. Now they need to control themselves on Wednesday and calmly prepare for the next opponent.
“Siberia” - “Neftekhimik” - 3: 2 OT. Account in the series: 2-0 (2: 0, 3: 2OT)
In this pair, apparently, have to spend a few more games. Perhaps everything will be decided in the fifth meeting. Absolutely equal game of comparable rivals. But when almost eight thousand spectators shout in the back, you can’t lose. Now, Novosibirsk will have to go to the city, where slightly fewer people will drive their rival forward.
Metallurg (Magnitogorsk) - HC MVD - 5: 2. Account in the series: 2-0 (7: 1, 5: 2).
As we expected, this time the gates of the guests took Konstantinov. And although he missed less than the competitor, the outcome was the same. Note that the "police" managed to keep less than two minutes in the account. But the fourth and fifth matches are not planned here.
“Salavat Yulaev” - SKA - 4: 2. Account in the series: 2: 0 (2: 1OT, 4: 2)
An interesting detail: for some reason, Sergei Mikhalev decided to release goalkeeper Vadim Tarasov to the court, giving Mezina time off. But Yuri Leonov has a poor choice. Either "raw" Belov, or the degrading Sokolov.
Surely St. Petersburg will try to delay the season for one day. But they are unlikely to succeed. They clearly lost confidence.
“Locomotive” - “Dynamo” - 4: 3. Account in the series: 2-0 (3: 2, 4: 3)
Again Dynamo summed up the removal: the hosts scored three times in the majority. We also note the psychological uncertainty of blue and white. They conceded the first two goals in 25 seconds, the third and fourth goals in 31. It is almost impossible to win a series with such nerves. Although it cannot be said that the team of Vladimir Krikunov has no chance at all. At least she can return to Yaroslavl. Although few believe in it.
“Ak Bars” - “Metallurg” (Novokuznetsk) - 7: 3. Account in the series: 2-0 (4: 2, 7: 3)
What is there to comment on? The total and predicted superiority of some over others. Four goals of “Ak Bars” in the majority. Two points of Alexei Morozov. If in Kazan the “leopards" allowed the opponent to win, then the whole team should have finished with hockey and do something else.
“Chemist” - “Severstal” - 4: 0. Account in the series: 2-0 (4: 0, 3: 0)
In Cherepovets rejoiced that they got a ruined rival. But the team crippled the flu epidemic. And in two days everything turned upside down. Mytishchi residents are certainly weak, but not to the extent that they suffer three defeats in a row. The maximum that they are capable of is to return with an opponent in the suburbs. But even this option now looks fantastic. The team of Alexander Astashev is demoralized.
CSKA - Lada - 5: 4. Account in the series: 2-0 (4: 1, 5: 4)
It is worth applaud to the guests who in the second match went all out. They led again (as was the case in all five matches of the teams in this championship), but did not hold the lead. Disappointed Vasily Koshechkin, who did not help the team. The head coach of the vazovtsev Emelin, it seems, was mistaken with the choice of the goalkeeper, at least for the second game.
Strange affair. If eight teams played in the playoffs, now there would be a massacre in every pair. But in the end it turns out that four clubs are resting, and another four are chopped with rivals of equal class. By the quarter finals, everyone will fit in different conditions. And we will see at least two boring couples. Not thought out.
Alexey Shevchenko