“Metallurg” - “Ak Bars” - 3: 4. Account in the series: 2-2 (5: 2, 1: 5, 4: 1, 3: 4)
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov
Bilyaletdinov, who stood with a pale face at the end of the third match, was probably not bewildered, but simply figured out the options. How to restore a team? How to prepare her for the next meeting? What to do with the goalkeeper?
The decisions are brilliant. In the locker room it was said: forget about the defeat. There was no analysis of the match, everyone was given the opportunity to relax and go about their business. They announced to Noronen that he should not worry and prepare for the next game.
As a result, the team played very worthily. At the end of the meeting, the Finnish goalkeeper became nervous again, but this did not affect the result.
Danis Zaripov
Three points of Danis, which included two goals and the transfer, a consequence of the calmness of “Metallurg”. The first link was given the opportunity to breathe easily, and they took advantage of this. But, of course, this does not detract from the merits of the striker who made the double. The only negative is that after such matches Zaripov tends to calm down for a couple of rounds. Now there is no time for the holidays. However, he understands that the playoffs are another tournament.
Sergey Semenov
We often scold referees, which means we must praise. The arbitrator worked very well for the meeting, which was the most intense in this series. One wrong decision, and everything could fly into tartaras. By the way, Semenov was put on the edge of the abyss when he looked through one of the goals into the gates of the guests. But he really understood the episode. Yes, and there are no questions on deletions.
It would be great if the fifth match Bulanov and Semenov were judged together. It is a pity that this will only be possible from next season.
What's next
Metallurg received two serious blows that are difficult to recover from. First, the team failed the second period, and then tried to escape, but did not have time. At the same time, so much strength was given at the end of the fourth meeting that would be enough for another series.
It is also surprising that Metallurg, which had previously correctly resolved the problem of the first link of the opponent, this time acted extremely sloppy. It was? the feeling that the Magnitogorsk residents believed in Morozov’s fatigue, in his quarrels with Zinoviev. Fatigue and scandals, perhaps, are, but it is impossible to completely release the three into free swimming. Punishment is inevitable.
It was not clear what the team was counting on, allowing so much marriage that was punished with two-minute deletions. This can only be explained by excessive excitement. The Ural players felt that the victory was already very, very close, and shook. The early goal of Platonov in this regard played a cruel joke with the team.
In the fifth meeting, the hosts will have an advantage. Experience and home stands are on their side. However, Fedor Kanareikin defeated Ak Bars in Kazan. And in principle, he has a chance to repeat the feat. But, by and large, the probability of this is not too great.
Alexey Shevchenko