After dominant win, Lokomotiv tries to force decisive Game Seven
Lokomotiv kept its season alive with a dominant shutout victory in Yaroslavl and now heads to Omsk with renewed confidence for Game Six, while Avangard looks to quickly bounce back on home ice and avoid letting the series slip into a decisive seventh game.
With their backs against the wall, the Railwaymen had a tremendous showing when it mattered most, blanking Avangard with a dominant performance and forcing Game Six in Omsk. Slovakia’s Richard Panik set the pace only five minutes into the opening frame, netting his fourth goal in these playoffs. The veteran forward added an assist to his great performance later in the third period, when he helped Maxim Shalunov seal the deal on the night for the 4:0 tally. Maxim Beryozkin and Alexander Polunin also scored for Lokomotiv, while Daniil Isayev stood strong between the pipes, recording his fifth shutout in this year’s Gagarin Cup playoffs with a 27-save performance. It was a night to forget for Avangard, who will return home with another chance to close the series and reach the Gagarin Cup finals. However, a momentum shift cannot be ruled out.
16:30: Avangard (3rd E) vs Lokomotiv (1st W)
Series stand
3-2 (5:2, 3:1, 2:4, 2:0, 2:4).
About the game
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev is on a 67:23 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avangard: Ivan Igumnov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Semyon Chistyakov may reach 100 career assists (currently at 99).
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 goalie Daniil Isayev may record his 40th KHL shutout.
