Spartak, Lokomotiv looking to tie up their series
The second game is on schedule today for two series, with Salavat Yulaev welcoming Spartak and Lokomotiv facing Avangard. The first match was taken by Eastern teams in both cases, with the Western Conference’s teams trying to tie things up today in the revenge match.
14:00: Salavat Yulaev vs Spartak
Series stand
1-0 (4:1).
About the game
Adam Ruzicka opened the scoring for Spartak, but then Salavat replied with four unanswered goals to take the first game. Denis Yan scored twice in the first period, then the Ufa team found another couple of tallies late in the closing frame. Goalie Alexander Samonov made 29 saves for Salavat Yulaev, who could also count on Sheldon Rempal’s hat-trick of assists, keeping his scoring streak alive.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points over that span.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin, Nathan Todd.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s defenseman Grigory Panin lines up for his 900th KHL game. He’s the sixth league’s player to reach this milestone, following Vadim Shipachyov, Ilya Kablukov, Evgeny Biryukov, Sergei Plotnikov, and Andrei Stas.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov may reach 100 assists in the league (currently at 99).
Spartak’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev may record his 10th KHL shutout.
17:00: Lokomotiv vs Avangard
Series stand
0-1 (1:4).
About the game
Avangard surprised Lokomotiv in the opening game of the series, forcing the Motormen to catch up after a very early goal by top sniper Reid Boucher after fewer than thirty seconds. Michael McLeod got his first goal of this season’s playoffs to double the Hawks’ advantage, and a tally by Byron Froese, who deflected in an attempt by Maxim Shalunov, wasn’t enough for Lokomotiv to recover. Game two will be a different match, but Lokomotiv needs to up its game to tie up the series.
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Radulov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Michael McLeod is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that stretch.
Avangard’s forward Reid Boucher is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Stepan Nikulin.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Rushan Rafikov may score his 200th league point (currently at 198).
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).
