(1) AK BARS - (16) METALLURG Nk
Games of the season: 6: 3 (Nk); 3-0 (K); 2: 2 (C)
Bombardiers: Morozov - 83 (34 + 49) - Semin - 24 (16 + 8)
Forecast - 3: 0
The most productive player of Novokuznetsk Metallurg was defender Nikolai Semin. This clearly indicates that the team of Sergey Nikolaev has problems with the attack. Objectively speaking, Novokuznetsk has no chance. It will end quickly in three matches. However, theoretically, the 16th team of the regular season can catch one game due to the benevolent mood of Ak Bars.
Stories
- The last time, following the results of the regular season, the Novokuznetsk Metallurg went around in the Ak Bars standings in the 2003-04 season (4th and 5th places). Since then, Shabanov, Stasyuk, Medvedev, Tyurin and Steiger remained in the team. From the side of Kazan - Proshkin, Zaripov and Zinoviev.
- In the first round match, Sergey Zinoviev injured Sergei Yakimovich. But Yakimovich cannot take revenge - he is no longer on the team.
- Two times, Metallurg played against Ak Bars with coach Alexander Kitov, and the only draw was Sergey Nikolayev.
- Teams met twice in the playoffs, and both times in the quarter finals. In 1999, Kazan won the series - 3-0. In 2004, the struggle turned out to be more stubborn, but the winner remained the same - 3: 1.
(2) “Vanguard” - (15) “VITYAZ”
Games of the season: 2: 4 (H); 5: 1 (O); 5: 5 (H)
Bombardiers: Kalyuzhny - 63 (18 + 45) - Korolyuk - 45 (17 + 28)
Forecast - 3: 1
Meeting with the toughest Super League team does not bode well for Omsk. Simpson can do more things in one match than any other team. Do not forget that for the “Vanguard”, the Chekhovites are not the easiest opponent this season. And Vityaz gained momentum in recent matches, going to the playoffs in good shape. And for head coach Mike Krushelniski, relegation matches are an understandable tournament. Perhaps the club near Moscow will be able to win one match.
Stories
- Before the first round match, Vityaz had a new general manager - Alexey Zhamnov. In this position, he has two actions - he kept Korolyuk and replaced the assistants of Krushelniski.
- Reed Simpson himself scored into the gates of Omsk.
- In the third round, “Vanguard” managed to play a draw, leading 4-0 in the course of the meeting.
(3) “SALAVAT YULAEV” - (14) SKA
Games of the season: 4: 2 (U); 4: 3 (St. Petersburg); 2-0 (St. Petersburg)
Bombardiers: Antipov - 43 (21 + 22) - Sushinsky - 43 (14 + 29)
Forecast - 3: 0
For SKA, the season ended around November-December. Ufa club will easily defeat a disassembled opponent. In a couple of games a tense struggle is possible, but not a single component of the St. Petersburg team is superior to the opponent.
Stories
- Maxim Sushinsky will receive the promised salary in full only if the team enters the second round. Otherwise, only 67 percent of the contract will be given to him.
- In the second round match, SKA goalkeeper Prusek got a groin injury. He will no longer go on ice as part of the St. Petersburg club.
- The current head coach of SKA Yuri Leonov lost two matches to the Ufa team. In the first round, St. Petersburg was led by Boris Mikhailov.
(4) METALLURG Mg - (13) HC MVD
Games of the season: 5: 3 (Mg); 4: 3 (P); 6: 3 (Mg)
Bombardiers: Marek - 47 (17 + 30) - Chupin - 44 (15 + 29)
Forecast - 3: 0
The “coveted rival” in the first round of the playoffs went to Magnitogorsk. Only HC MVD lost in the third round to the last three teams of the championship. In the last two matches, they conceded 12 goals. There is no strong goalkeeper in the team, and only Sergey Klimentyev and Alexey Chupin can be distinguished from the field. Neither one nor the other can do anything alone. Three games and Metallurg in the next round.
Stories
- Defender of the HC MVD Sergey Klimentyev spent in “Metallurg” several wonderful seasons.
- In the first round, “policemen” took “Metallurg” as ... the leader of the championship.
- Before the match with HC MVD in the second round Travis Scott suddenly poisoned. Suspiciously. But if Khudobin failed, the young Proskuryakov passed the test.
- Fedor Kanareikin only twice defeated the "police". One victory at Dave King.
(5) “SIBERIA” - (12) “PETROCHEMICIAN”
Games of the season: 4: 2 (New); 6: 4 (Lower); 0: 3 (Lower)
Bombardiers: Subbotin - 42 (21 + 21) - Konkov - 28 (16 + 12), Kuzmin - 28 (12 + 16)
Forecast - 3: 2
One of the most unpredictable couples in the first round of the playoffs. Siberia, after the recession caused by the financial crisis, is slowly recovering. But the team is clearly tired. Neftekhimik, after the change of the head coach, did not fall apart - this is a plus, but unstable - this is a minus. Probably, after all, the Siberians have an advantage, thanks to the home site.
Stories
- Gennady Syrtsov, a former Neftekhimik coach, worked with the Nizhnekamsk team in all three matches against Sibir. Ayrat Kadeikin was appointed in the middle of the third round, when the game with Novosibirsk was behind.
- In the first two matches with Sibir, the Nizhnekamsk team changed the goalkeeper during the meeting. In the first case, Seleznev was unlucky and Vehanen was released onto the ice (in the 11th minute). And in November, Vehanen was exchanged for Franskevich after 5 minutes 45 seconds. Both times the goalkeepers were put on the bench for two conceded goals.
(6) CSKA - (11) LADA
Games of the season: 3: 2 (T); 4: 2 (M); 1: 2OT (T)
Bombardiers: Epanchintsev - 46 (13 + 33) - Guskov - 33 (17 + 16)
Forecast - 3: 2
The current coaching staff of Lada is trying to maintain the hockey that brought success under Peter Vorobyov. It turns out so far, however, worse. However, this is a serious opponent for CSKA. CSKA just do not really like when the opponent sits on the defensive. They themselves prefer to play open hockey. And yet, due to more experience, CSKA will snatch victory. But there will be no sensation if they yield.
Stories
- In the second round match for CSKA, Simchuk and Paid made their debut.
- Then the army team, defeating Lada, interrupted their four-match series of defeats.
- In all three games there were segments when the Togliatti were in the lead.
(7) LOCOMOTIVE - (10) DYNAMO
Games of the season: 0: 3 (M); 3: 2 (I); 2: 5 (M)
Bombardiers: Tkachenko - 34 (9 + 25) - Mirnov - 45 (21 + 24)
Forecast - 2: 3
Dynamo has a slight advantage in this pair. Yaroslavl can’t pick up the keys to the team of Vladimir Krikunov, even the only winning match was not without difficulty. Interestingly, the players of both teams are clearly not happy that they came across just such an opponent.
Stories
- Paul Gardner, the third head coach of Lokomotiv this season, suffered his first defeat in Russia precisely in the match against Dynamo.
- Vladimir Yurzinov, the first head coach, did not have time to play against the blue and white. He was fired a few days before the match with them. Nikolai Borschevsky, the second head coach, won one match and lost one.
- Vladimir Krikunov after each victory over Lokomotiv called these games the best of the season.
- Lokomotiv won in the second round when Yegor Podomatsky was standing in the goal. In two other meetings, they were defended by Semyon Varlamov (in the third match he was replaced, and Podomatsky did not miss).
- Teams have never met in the playoffs over the past 10 years.
(8) CHEMISTRY - (9) SEVERSTAL
Games of the season: 1: 2 (H); 4: 2 (M); 3: 4 (M)
Bombardiers: Leshchev - 65 (14 + 51) - Kovalenko - 29 (21 + 8)
Forecast - 1: 3
Everyone is waiting for the “Chemist” to wake up and start taking points even with teams that are worse than him in composition. But the club near Moscow does not manage to come to its senses. And, probably, they will leave the stupor no earlier than next season. Severstal has a great chance to get into the top eight. And it will be done in a series of four matches.
Stories
- Before the first round match, there was talk about the resignation of Alexander Astashev. Victories over Vanguard and Chemist allowed him to keep his place.
- Before the meeting of the third round, they were already talking with might and main about the resignation of Peter Vorobyov. Although this was only the second match in a terrible series (3 wins in 15 games). Vorobyov still removed.
- Albert Leshchev assisted in each match between these clubs. Although this is just not surprising.
Alexey Shevchenko