Lokomotiv look to level series in Game Two showdown with Avangard
Avangard drew first blood with an emphatic Game One win, but with Lokomotiv stung on home ice and their star netminder chased early, Game Two sets the stage for a fierce response from the Railwaymen as they look to even the series.
17:00: Lokomotiv (1st W) vs Avangard (3rd E)
Series stand
0-1 (2:5).
About the game
Defenseman Max Lajoie had two power play goals to open the Gagarin Cup semifinals. His efforts paced a 5:2 win for the Hawks at Lokomotiv, with the Railwaymen unexpectedly knocked off track in Game One. Vasily Ponomaryov, Andrew Poturalski, and Joseph Cecconi also scored in the Hawks’ flying start of the series. For Lokomotiv, Denis Alexeyev and Maxim Shalunov got on the scoresheet, but it was otherwise a disappointing night for the Railwaymen, who were forced into the rare move of pulling starting goaltender Daniil Isayev midway through the game after conceding multiple goals—a surprising sight given his status as one of the KHL’s top netminders over the past few seasons. Nikita Serebryakov won the goaltending duel for Avangard, with a rock-solid 31-save performance. Today, however, is a new game altogether, and Lokomotiv’s response is sure to be felt by the Hawks.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that streak.
Injury list
Avangard: Ivan Igumnov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may score his 250th career goal (currently at 248).
Lokomotiv’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky may reach 200 career points (currently at 198).
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Alexei Bereglazov may reach 50 points in the Gagarin Cup playoffs (currently at 49).
Avangard’s defensemen Artyom Blazhiyevsky and Semyon Chistyakov may reach 100 career assists (currently both at 99).
