“Ak Bars” - “Metallurg” Mg - 5: 1. Account in the series: 1-1
Danis Zaripov
He proved that the first link of Ak Bars was written off early. And let Morozov not have the first violin now, but Zaripov scored his second goal with other partners - so what? The effectiveness of the first link of “leopards” in this match was at their best. Zinoviev, as usual, worked hard in defense, was active and inventive in attack. And now Zaripov also brilliantly succeeded in his work - the completion of the attacks. Morozov, I must say, did not fall out either.
Vitaly Atyushov
Noted at all because he scored the only goal of his team. Although this goal was very timely and could be very important for Magnitogorsk, if it were not a failure segment in the third period. Atyushov did not finish the match - a puck hit him in the face, ricocheting from his club. At that moment, probably, the whole of Magnitogorsk began to pray for Vitaly’s health. Because after Bulin dropped out before the end of the season, the defenders of Metallurg are worth their weight in gold. Especially such as Atyushov. I want to believe that he will be able to recover for the third match, otherwise Ak Bars will get a serious advantage in this series, but it would be better to maintain the equality of forces.
Travis Scott, Mika Noronen
It would be wrong to call the key character of the match alone Travis Scott. Noronen was an equally prominent figure, and in the show in the third period they participated together. Therefore, we make an exception.
The goalkeeper of Ak Bars must have proved that his level is much higher than can be judged by the first game. He did not succeed completely. Firstly, because the defenders acted stricter. Secondly, because Magnitogorsk failed to play equally brilliantly the second day in a row. Thirdly, because the only puck missed by Noronen was not classified as non-fighting. They again beat him into the near corner.
Scott for two periods was himself. Dragged everything, played confidently, with courage. And then the Little ones made an excellent pass from behind the gates to Stepanov. And the Canadian, who did not expect such a dirty trick, did not manage to close the near post. Although the cast, of course, was good. To Scott's credit, he did not swim. But the defense fell apart. Having missed two more goals, in which there was not a drop of his guilt, the Canadian lost his temper, the result of which was an attempt to fight first with Stepanov, and then with lightning-fast rushing Noronen. Finn can only be praised for such a desire to defend his partner. But we do not have the NHL, and the referees did not allow the goalkeepers to identify the strongest literally.
What's next
A lot will depend on how much serious damage Vitaly Atyushov received. The defenders of “Magnitogorsk” and so had a huge load, with which they ceased to cope at the end of the second match. And if passing the Little On Stepanov can still be classified as absurd, then his inaction in the episode with the second goal of Zaripov is nothing but a consequence of fatigue. The Badiukov link brought in the Urals in their zone, and standing facing the gates of the Little ones simply did not notice how Zaripov jumped out instead of Kazionov and crept up to the gate.
As mentioned earlier, in this series, character is more important than tactical tricks. Barça proved their ability to fight as desperately as Magnitka did in the first game. And the series from this became only even more unpredictable. And the factor of its ice in it will most likely not play any role.