Avangard, Ak Bars battling for the lead in Omsk!

It’s game-three time in the Eastern finals!

Avangard got full advance of an early lead in the second game and tied things up in Kazan when they were up by three by the end of the middle stanza. Viktor Svedberg opened the score in the first period, with a powerful slapshot from the blueline, then Reid Boucher and Alex Broadhurst made it a three-nothing game. In the closing frame, Ak Bars pushed the gas and found two goals, but it was late as the Hawks celebrated their first victory in the series.

16:30: Avangard vs Ak Bars

Series stand
The series is tied 1-1 (2:3 ОТ, 3:2).

About the game

Avangard’s attacking leader Vladimir Tkachyov kept his scoring streak alive as he had an assist when Reid Boucher doubled the Hawks’ advantage in the middle frame. Vasily Demchenko had 31 saves for Avangard, while Ak Bars switched its goalies after the second period, with Amir Miftakhov replacing Timur Bilyalov following three unanswered goals by the guests. Ak Bars outshot Avangard 17-6 in the third period, but it was too late to return in contention for the game.

Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov had at least an assist in each of his previous five games, totaling six helpers.

Avangard’s forward Alex Broadhurst is on an three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.

Injury list

Avangard: Stanislav Galimov.

Milestone alert

Ak Bars’ defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov and Avangard’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky may reach 200 KHL points (both are currently at 198).