“Metallurg” Mg - “Vanguard” - 4: 3. Account in the series: 2-1
Alexander Seluyanov
Firstly, it was his puck that still became victorious. Secondly, the way he abandoned it can be considered an embodiment of character, unbending will, demonstrated in this match by Magnitogorsk. The quintessential game of the whole team. On the spot, falling on the ice, rising and literally on his knees finding an option for a throw - and this is a defender! Magnitogorsk frantically lucky in the first game, in Omsk. In the third match, fortune defiantly took the “Vanguard” side. And the ridiculous mistakes, which will be discussed below, and the puck, stubbornly not wanting to fly on target for two periods, and once having left the zone of visibility of Sergei Karabanov, and Fomichev, as if by a magnet (even though they played in Magnitogorsk) attracted her to to myself. All these hockey players of Metallurg overcame amicably, putting the volatile on their knees.
Vyacheslav Zavalnyuk
Perhaps no heroism would have been required from Magnitogorsk - they played significantly better than Vanguard. But two mistakes of the Ukrainian defender in the first period demanded further efforts from them in the future. At first, he made a mistake barely, just not having time to react to the rebound of the puck as quickly as Artem Chubarov did. And here is the goal of Pervushin entirely on his conscience. Loss of concentration, carelessness, carelessness - call it what you like, but not a single player in the playoffs, and especially in such a tense series, should not allow himself such disgraces. In the corner of his zone Zavalnyuk allowed himself to rob the young striker of Omsk, and the score was 0: 2. And the fact that the partners subsequently corrected his mistake cannot serve as an excuse.
Sergey Karabanov
There is no doubt that, like any normal referee, he would prefer to remain in this amazing match the most inconspicuous figure. More inconspicuous than the Omsk reserve Zhdanov, whose functions were limited to two "prison sentences" on the bench for fines for violations of the numerical strength.
But almost nothing depended on Karabanov. Such is the proportion of leading referees that they have to work at the most furious matches. By and large, he had only one “kosyachok” - the puck that he lost sight of when the Magnitogorsk players scored the first goal, which, therefore, was not counted because they clogged after the whistle. All other hot moments are not the fault of Karabanov, but his fate.
And I really didn’t want to be in the position of the referee when he watched the video after the goal (counted, then goal) of Marek. The moment was more than unobvious, but Magnitogorsk has already stripped one goal of Karabanov. We assume that he still saw that the puck crossed the goal line. But this episode will still be discussed - no doubt. Although the referee still canceled another goal of the hosts - through an empty net. But this was no longer fundamental.
What's next
Who will say that today? Maybe the victory of Magnitogorsk. Maybe the fifth match. It is very important whether Magnitogorsk residents will wake up old complexes, whether the proximity will convey such an impossibly long-awaited victory over an opponent, from which so much has happened to endure.
One thing is certain - we will see big hockey again. Passion, excellence and ... mistakes. They will certainly be, because already today it was clear how the teams were tired of this mockingly grueling schedule. Even forgetting the previous stages, think for yourself - in five days, four such matches as Avangard - Magnitogorsk. Well this is not enough strength. No will. But these will be found - certainly.