Western teams are seeking revenge today!
In the first game, Eastern-based Traktor and Ak Bars defeated Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow, respectively, to start the series on a positive note. Today, the Western Conference’s teams will be seeking revenge as the second games tip off, hoping to even the score and shift momentum back in their favor.
14:00: Traktor vs Dinamo Minsk
Series stand
1-0 (4:2).
About the game
Game one has been a tough one to swallow for the guests, who will be looking to tie things up in the second confrontation. Alexander Kadeikin scored the go-ahead goal for Traktor with the teams just entering the closing frame. The Belarusians replied with two quick goals, then controlled the game until they were close to celebrate the first win in the series. And then, the impossible happened, with the home side netting an incredible three goals in a 22-second span – including a final empty-netter to seal the deal. Vitaly Kravtsov scored the game-winning goal as the teams look forward to another battle in game two.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Yegor Borikov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Alexander Kadeikin lines up for his 700th league appearance.
19:00: Dynamo Moscow vs Ak Bars
Series stand
0-1 (3:5).
About the game
Ak Bars had a fast start, with two quick goals coming from Dmitrij Jaskin and Eric O’Dell, but when the home side completed a fightback from 1:3 to tie the game in the third stanza, it was tempting to assume that the Muscovites had weathered the Ak Bars storm. But the visitor had other ideas, rallying with two late goals to claim an opening win on the road in this Gagarin Cup second-round series. Defenseman Mitchell Miller had three points for Ak Bars, with a goal and two helpers, with Jaskin equaling his total production with a double and an assist. Goaltending wasn’t particularly inspired in the first game, and it’s to be expected that the coaches will be demanding more from their netminders in the second contest today.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Artyom Ilyenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
