Spartak, Lokomotiv looking to close series again
Both Spartak and Lokomotiv get another crack at finishing their series early, with a chance to book semifinal spots tonight. Avangard forces a return to Omsk after tightening things up in game five, while Salavat Yulaev rides Scott Wilson’s OT heroics back to Moscow. With momentum shifting and milestones looming, both matchups are on a knife’s edge as we head into what could be the final chapter—or a prelude to game seven drama.
16:30: Avangard vs Lokomotiv
Series stand
2-3 (4:1, 1:4, 2:6, 1:2 ОТ, 3:2).
About the game
After winning the opener in Yaroslavl, Avangard returned to get a second win in this series in the fifth game. Evgeny Kulik’s second-period goal proved to be the difference between the teams in a hard-fought encounter. The teams started cautiously, with both sides keen to avoid mistakes and looking to keep it simple. That was evident in the closing frame, with Avangard making an effort to control the game as the series returns to Omsk today, with the Hawks having a chance to make it a tied contest. However, the Railwaymen will also be looking for another win to move to the semifinals. Nikita Serebryakov made 32 saves for Avangard, while Isayev had only 21 stops.
Injury list
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Michael McLeod.
Lokomotiv: Stepan Nikulin.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Danil Bashkirov may line up for his 300th league appearance.
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin may record his 200th assist in the KHL (currently at 199).
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov and forward Alexander Polunin may score their 200th league point (Rafikov is currently at 199, while Polunin is at 198).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
19:00: Spartak vs Salavat Yulaev
Series stand
3-2 (1:4, 5:4 ОТ, 4:2, 6:2, 3:4 ОТ).
About the game
Scott Wilson scored twice to see off Spartak and keep Salavat Yulaev in the Gagarin Cup contention. The Canadian veteran potted the overtime winner in Ufa to deny the Muscovites of victory in five games. Today the teams return to the capital to continue an absorbing series, with two games going beyond regulation times. Salavat Yulaev managed to stop Adam Ruzicka, and achieved a precious win. For the Red-and-Whites, Pavel Poryadin netted a double, while Ivan Morozov, Nikolai Goldobin, and Andrei Loktionov kept their scoring streaks alive. But that wasn’t enough – Salavat Yulaev could count on an inspired Scott Wilson – who has six goals already in this year’s Gagarin Cup playoffs, and on a hat-trick of assists from d-man Dinar Khafizullin, with Sheldon Rempal also contributing two helpers. Semyon Vyazovoi made 28 stops as he started between the piping again for Ufa. With the series moving to Moscow, Salavat Yulaev may fight his way back to a return home for a seventh game.
Spartak’s forward Andrei Loktionov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (1+87) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points.
Spartak’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is also on a four-game scoring streak, but with 4 (2+2) points.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that stretch.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rampal is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin, Nathan Todd.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Spartak’s forward Andrei Loktionov lines up for his 100th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
