KHL 3x3 Round 19: Metallurg back on track
The 19th round of the KHL 3x3 Championship brought more promising signs for Barys – but it was Metallurg that came out on top after a shaky start.
Story of the Round
After two disappointing rounds, Metallurg reminded us why it has been among the leaders all season. The last two appearances saw Magnitka struggle to pick up 50% of the points on offer and fail to make the Supergame. This time, Evgeny Timkin’s team was back to its best, preventing a slump from turning into a crisis. But it wasn’t plain sailing. Metallurg dropped two games on Thursday, allowing 11 goals without reply in the third periods of its encounters with Barys and Salavat Yulaev. Was the nightmare run set to continue?
No. On Saturday, Magnitka turned it around. The trigger was a shoot-out win over Barys. Sergei Shmelyov tied the scores with 12 seconds on the clock and went on to pot the decisive effort in the extras. That got Metallurg back on track, banging in the goals and storming up the standings. Salavat fell 7-2, Avangard was beaten 5-1 and the Supergame brought an emphatic 8-1 win over Barys. Despite facing its problems, Magnitogorsk finished as the top team in this round.
Metallurg’s players reached several statistical landmarks this week. Both Pavel Varfolomeyev and Sergei Shmelyov scored their 100th points, with the latter becoming the first player in the league to reach 50 assists. He and Andrei Oleynikov both hit the 50-goal mark. In addition, free-scoring Metallurg is the first team to score 300 goals in the competition.
Player of the Round
Sergei Shmelyov (Metallurg)
We’re used to seeing Pavel Varfolomeyev leading the scoring race at the KHL 3x3 Championship. This time, though, we have a new leader. Varfolomeyev’s regular partner Sergei Shmelyov combined with his team-mate to wreak havoc from day one. Metallurg’s captain was unstoppable this weekend, scoring 17 (9+8) points and grabbing four more in the supergame. He also had a game-winning penalty shot against Barys.
Game of the Round
Barys 7 Metallurg 6
There were plenty of comebacks in this round, but Barys’s recovery against Metallurg was surely the most impressive. Everything seemed to be following the usual script when these two have met this season: after two periods, Metallurg was up 6-2 and victory seemed assured. However, the third period saw the Kazakhs turn it all upside down with five unanswered goals The winner came from Sayan Daniyar 27 seconds before the hooter.
Besting Magnitka was just one of the highlights of an encouraging round for Barys. It was pretty much the first time this season that the Kazakhs did not change the roster and, for the second time, they made it to the Supergame.
Debut of the Round
Salavat Yulaev was uneven this weekend, but one unmitigated bonus was the call-up of Artyom Gareyev. The newcomer quickly adapted to a different format and had 8 (3+5) points through six games. On this evidence, Gareyev looks like a useful addition for Ufa in the closely stages of the season.
Guest of the Round
On Sunday, former captain of the Russian national football team Yegor Titov came to Shcherbinka. The Spartak legend is a big hockey fan, and is a regular at the Red-and-Whites’ KHL games. It’s probably fair to see that in recent times, Titov is seen more often watching hockey than watching football. But this was his first time watching 3x3, and he promised he’ll be back soon. We’re looking forward to it!
Photo of the Round
Magnitka again raised its banner over the South Arena in Shcherbinka after more than a month without success. And for head coach Evgeny Timkin, that’s priceless.
