Series tied as Ak Bars host Metallurg in Game Three

Metallurg responded to its opening loss with an impressive Game Two performance behind a three-point outing from Roman Kantserov, tying the series before the action shifts to Kazan, where Ak Bars will try to regain home-ice momentum.

19:30: Ak Bars (3rd E) vs Metallurg (1st E)

Series stand
1-1 (5:2, 2:4).

About the game
A three-point game from Roman Kantserov paced Metallurg’s success in Game Two. That saw Andrei Razin’s team cancel out its opening 2:5 loss at home to Ak Bars and ensures the series moves to Kazan locked at one game each. This time, Razin opted for Ilya Nabokov between the piping, and the move paid out, with the 2024 Gagarin Cup champion making 30 stops for Magnitka. Other than Kantserov, also Sergei Tolchinsky, Daniil Vovchenko, and Nikita Mikhailis scored for Metallurg. Artyom Galimov and Alexander Chmelevsky found the back of the net for Ak Bars, but that didn’t prove enough for the Kazan franchise. As the series moves to Magnitogorsk, the battle for the Gagarin Cup finals is open.
Ak Bars’ goalie Maxim Arefyev is on a 123:21 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchell Miller had at least an assist in each of his previous five matches, totaling eight helpers.
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that stretch.
Metallurg’s forward Alexander Petunin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.

Injury list
Metallurg: Dmitry Silantyev.

Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin may celebrate his 300th win in the KHL.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may record his 40th career shutout.
Metallurg’s defenseman Danila Palivko lines up for his 200th career appearance.