Magnitka won again in Yaroslavl 2:1 and won the series with a score of 4:0.
Yes, the Gagarin Cup final did not turn out to be long. In each match, Andrei Razin’s team was a little stronger and luckier. But, as you know, the strongest are lucky. Therefore, the main KHL trophy goes to Magnitogorsk, and Lokomotiv only gets silver. And it seems that it was the systematic approach that let Igor Nikitin’s team down. Because when the time came to change something and move away from this very system for which the opponent was ready, there was no “Plan B”.
Of course, loyal Yaroslavl fans filled Arena 2000 again. And a relatively quick goal took place. Yaroslav Likhachev intercepted Daniil Tesanov’s pass from behind the goal. Lokomotiv took the lead 1:0. The first period ended in favor of the Yaroslavl team.
Perhaps the second twenty minutes was decisive. And it’s not about the number of goals, but about the actions of the teams on the ice. Lokomotiv put pressure at first. Fans of the Yaroslavl team grabbed their heads when Alexander Polunin failed to hit the empty goal. And then Magnitogorsk began its assault. For five minutes in a row the game went on in the hosts’ zone, Isaev was spinning like a squirrel in a wheel. But a minute before the end of the period, after a wild rebound and finishing move, Denis Zernov scored again. Nikitin took a request to interfere with the goalkeeper, but the referees did not see this interference.
The rest of the third period was a matter of technique. Yes, Lokomotiv did not give up, tried to do something near Nabokov’s goal, but the hosts’ game did not go further than the boards. And the guests…Andrei Razin’s team was waiting for their chance and got it. Vovchenko scored on the power play. And “Metallurg” defended its fourth victory, and deserved the Gagarin Cup! As sad as it is to admit, Magnitogorsk’s victory was deserved. The Yaroslavl team should be congratulated on the silver and repeat the traditional from Igor Nikitin: “We are preparing further…”
Subscribe on VKontakteSubscribe on Telegram
Subscribe to newsletterReport news
