Game seven between Avtomobilist and Ak Bars!
It’s the first seventh game this season, with the Motormen seeking a home win as Ak Bars comes to Yekaterinburg after tying things up in game six. Unpredictability will be key in this match as the game – and the series – can easily go either way, sending a team in the second round and another in early vacations.
17:00: Avtomobilist vs Ak Bars
Series stand
3-3 (1:4, 4:3, 3:2 2ОТ, 2:7, 2:0, 1:5).
About the game
The stage is ready for this year’s Gagarin Cup playoffs first game seven, with Avtomobilist facing Ak Bars at the brand new UGMK Arena. In game six, Ak Bars shrugged off the pressure of a must-win game, powering to a four-goal lead in the first period and securing a win to tie this series. Two goals from Eric O’Dell put the seal on an emphatic win – and maybe point to a return in form for the Canadian who has struggled this season both in Kazan and with Dynamo Moscow. The Motormen tried to turn the tide swapping starting goalie Evgeny Alikin with Vladimir Galkin, but just like in game four, the move didn’t really make any difference, with Kazan in control of the game and Avtomobilist struggling to return to contention. The Motormen managed a consolation effort through Danil Romantsev in the 58th minute. It was far too late, but might offer a lift for Nikolai Zavarukhin’s men before today’s decider at the UGMK Arena – the first ever in the new Avtomobilist’s home.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Denis Osipov, Curtis Valk.
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Kirill Vorobyov lines up for his 500th KHL game, while goalie Evgeny Alikin may reach 300 and defenseman Nick Ebert is up for his 200th league appearance.
