Metallurg, Avangard advance to second round

Daniil Vovchenko and Nikolai Prokhorkin scored the vital goals as two more KHL playff first-round series came to an end on Wednesday. Vovchenko got the only goal of the game as Metallurg edged a 1-0 verdict over Sibir. Then Prokhorkin tied Avangard’s game against Nefetkhimik with just eight seconds to play before potting the winner in overtime. Both winning teams completed their series in five games.

Vovchenko sends Magnitka through

Metallurg Magnitogorsk 1 Sibir Novosibirsk 0 (0-0, 1-0, 0-0)
Metallurg wins the series 4-1

Daniil Vovchenko has a habit of scoring big goals for Metallurg. In 2024, he scored the Gagarin Cup winner for Andrei Razin’s team. Earlier this season, his marker secured the regular season championship.

And today Vovchenko potted the goal that takes Magnitka into the second round of the 2026 KHL playoffs.

For the second game in a row, these teams produced a goaltending duel. That seemed to suit Sibir. In the first three games of the series, Yaroslav Lyuzenkov’s team conceded goals too easily – four in the first game, five in the second, three in the third – and found itself on the cusp of a sweep. Game four, the first time in the last-chance saloon, saw a newly-resolute Sibir defense sneak a 1-0 verdict in overtime to bring the series back to Magnitogorsk.

And now, in game four, goals were once again at a premium. Vovchenko’s 23rd-minute tally was the only one of the game.

The forward, who returned to the team today in place of Yegor Korobkin, struck on the power play early in the second period. Vladimir Tkachyov collected his fifth assist of the playoffs, sending play back to Valery Orekhov. From the center of the zone, the defensive sent the puck left to Vovchenko, who roasted a one-timer home from the circle.

Buoyed by that success, the home team looked for more and there were several dangerous moments for Mikhail Berdin in the home net. Berdin had produced an epic performance to blank Metallurg for almost a full 100 minutes in game four and had to dig deep once again to prevent the Steelmen from skating away with the game as they dominated the middle frame. It was only in the closing minutes that Sibir managed to move play down the ice, but the home team could not force a breakthrough before the intermission. 

However, throughout the game chances were at a premium. The cautious tactics that initially suited Sibir now played into Metallurg’s hands. The home team was content to hold the opposition at arm’s length and run down the clock to confirm its progress through the playoffs. As a result, the visitor never really managed to whip up an attacking storm and Alexander Smolin, back in the team after missing the previous game through suspension, faced just 24 shots as he backstopped the win.

Prokhorkin’s double finishes off Neftekhimik

Avangard Omsk 4 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 3 OT (1-1, 1-1, 1-1, 1-0)
Avangard wins the series 4-1

Nikolai Prokhorkin delivered a decisive double blow to end Neftekhimik’s season in Omsk.

The visitor had to win this game to prolong its first-round playoff series against Avangard, and was up 3-2 going into the final moments.

But Prokhorkin tied the game with just eight seconds left on the clock, and went on to pot an overtime winner on 61:02.

As the game moved into the final two minutes, the home team was desperate to find a way of tying the score and avoiding a return to Nizhnekamsk on Friday. Goalie Nikita Serebryakov went to the bench and the six skaters of Omsk went to work. The Wolves defended bravely, but were undone by a freak occurrence. Damir Sharipzyanov’s stick smashed as he attempted one last point shot and the puck squirted to Konstantin Okulov. He instantly fed Prokhorkin, who shot into an open corner to tie it up on 59:52.

That last-gasp reprieve gave Avangard the momentum. Early in the extras, Neftekhimik Alexander Dergachyov was assessed a high-sticking minor four seconds into overtime and the home power play finished the job.

The same trio that created the equalizer returned to produce the winner. This time Sharipzyanov dished the puck off to the left for Okulov to shoot from the circle. His attempt was deflected to the back door where Prokhorkin was waiting to score the series-clinching goal.

Earlier, the teams produced an entertaining game. Avangard scored first, but Neftekhimik hit back and led twice before that dramatic finish.

Initially, the Hawks seemed to be on the way to a comfortable victory. The home team began with wave after wave of offense and it wasn’t long before Vasily Ponomaryov redirected Marsel Ibragimov’s shot into Yaroslav Ozolin’s net.

Neftekhimik then had to kill a penalty, but back at equal strength the visitor tied the game with its first shot at Serebryakov. A wayward clearance fell to Ivan Nikolishin, who gleefully accepted the gift.

The second period saw Neftekhimik get on top, both in terms of the play and – briefly – the score. Veteran Bulat Shafigullin made it 2-1 in the 34th minute when Andrei Belozyorov picked him out in front of the net. Avangard’s response was swift: face-off win, Okulov shot, 2-2, 35:32 played.

The third frame began with Avangard looking to build on its equalizer. The home team had several decent chances, with Mikhail Kotlyarevsky and Mike McLeod firing wide when well placed. Those misses looked costly when Neftekhimik scored off its first attack of the session. Belozyorov added to his earlier assist when he redirected Alexander Khoruzhov’s shot past Serebryakov on 44 minutes.

After that, chances were scarce and the best of them felt to Shafigullin on the counter. Serebryakov got his pad behind that to keep Avangard in the game. The clock was ticking down, the Hawks were struggling to generate the chance that could save the game and Neftekhimik was dreaming of bringing the contest back to Tatarstan. But Prokhorkin’s late intervention flipped that switch and wrapped up the series.