Avangard, SKA, looking for progress

Avangard and SKA may win their series today, while Metallurg and Amur go for a key fifth game, with the series stalled at two.

13:30: Avangard vs Lada

Series stand
3-1 (5:1, 3:2 ОТ, 3:1, 1:4)

About the game
Avangard failed on its chance to become the first team to qualify for the second round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs as Nikita Popugayev potted a double for Lada, who survived and sent the series back to Omsk. Home goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky stopped 25 shots for Lada, celebrating his 100^th KHL win. The series returns to Omsk this Saturday, with the Hawks eyeing a fourth – and decisive – victory.
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov had at least an assist in each of his previous four games, totaling six helpers.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.

Injury list
Avangard: Roman Abrosimov, Ivan Telegin.
Lada: Nikolai Demidov, Alexei Ozhgikhin, Ivan Romanov.

14:30: Metallurg vs Amur

Series stand
2-2 (2:1, 2:3, 3:2, 2:5)

About the game
Amur welcomed back Alex Broadhurst in its lineup after an injury, and the forward replied with two helpers in his debut in this year’s elimination stage. His performance helped the Tigers grab a key win over Magnitka to tie the series before heading to Magnitogorsk for game five today. Amur built a fast lead in the opening stanza, with Metallurg managing to cut the lead in the second period. However, Viktor Baldayev found the back of the net in the last second of the middle frame, with Amur being able to defend its lead in the third.
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Amur’s forward Yegor Korshkov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.

Injury list
Amur: Evgeny Grachyov, Pyotr Khokhryakov, Sergei Lapin, Cameron Lee.

Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Pavel Akolzin may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 98).
Amur’s forward Yegor Korshkov has a chance to reach 200 (currently at 199).

17:00: SKA vs Torpedo

Series stand
3-1 (2:5, 3:2 2ОТ, 5:2, 4:1)

About the game
SKA achieved another road win to get at just one game from wrapping up this first-round series as Torpedo failed to find an answer to St. Petersburg’s attacks after the first two games. Despite somewhat of a promising start by Torpedo, SKA took control of the game quite early with three quick first-period goals. Adam Huska and Ivan Kulbakov split duties for Torpedo between the piping, with the latter delivering a more convincing performance, with 33 saves and no goals allowed. Torpedo will be playing hard today as the Igor Larionov’s young guns are on a do-or-die situation with a last chance to return the series on home ice on Monday.
SKA’s forward Vasily Glotov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Kulbakov is on a 64:33 shutout streak.

Injury list
SKA: Vladimir Alistrov, Andrei Pedan, Borna Rendulic, Ivan Zinchenko.
Torpedo: Kirill Kirsanov.

Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Alexander Kadeikin may net his 100^th career tally (currently at 99).