Unexpected heroes: how the goals of Zykov and Vorobyov helped SKA equalize the score in the semifinal series of the Gagarin Cup with CSKA

In the first game of the final series of the Western Conference, CSKA prevailed and extended the winning streak in the confrontation with SKA in the playoffs. Another defeat not only became roman Rotenberg's charges the fourth in a row in the Gagarin Cup from teammates, but also reduced their chances of reaching the decisive round to a minimum. After that, the series moved to Moscow, where the rivals rarely stumbled. In the current tournament, they lost only twice on their ice - once they were able to defeat Severstal and Lokomotiv, while the remaining six games remained for the red and blue.

In general, Rotenberg had to solve many problems on the eve of the second meeting. Two days ago, SKA did not perform in the best way and looked worse than its opponent. St. Petersburg had less possession of the puck, less often threw and hit the goal. And if it were not for Dmitry Nikolaev's 52 saves, they could have conceded the third time much earlier than in the 103rd minute. Perhaps this was the reason for solid personnel changes. Nikolai Prokhorkin, Roman Rukavishnikov and Svyatoslav Grebenshchikov, who scored a spectacular goal, went to the reserves. Their place was taken by Mikhail Vorobyov, Mikhail Pashnin and Evgeny Ketov, who last went on the ice on March 3. Eight days later, he was back in the squad, but did not rise from the bench.

One of the main intrigues of the confrontation was in what physical condition CSKA will appear. In the first two rounds, Sergei Fedorov's charges played a total of 14 games, and then more than 100 minutes in the first meeting of the conference finals. And if then they were lucky enough to get out of rhythm thanks to more than a week of pause of opponents, this time the difference in freshness could be an important factor. But in the first period, it wasn't felt. The Muscovites were not inferior to their counterparts either in activity or in shots, and in someone else's zone they were more often. And even had the opportunity to play in the majority, although they could not use it - like St. Petersburg.

But at the end of the period, the visitors still used their chance and opened the scoring. A few minutes earlier, Nikita Gusev missed a great moment when he could not realize an impromptu shootout and interrupt adam Reideborn's "dry" series that had lasted more than 90 minutes. And the reckoning was not long in coming. Darren Dietz's cross from the blue line came from Andrei Svetlakov, who was on duty on the spot. The newly minted team record holder for the number of matches in the Gagarin Cup (120) did not hesitate, turned around and took Nikolaev by surprise.

It was difficult to think of a better start for Muscovites. Having taken the lead, they could, in their favorite manner, move back and act with an eye on defense, in which they had almost no equal in the KHL. Along with this, the owners were also nervous. In the second period, they went to the bench twice. First, Marat Khusnutdinov deprived his partners of the opportunity to work in the majority, and then Emil Galimov was fined for hitting with a stick. However, it was the four of them who were closer to the goal. First, the same Khusnutdinov could not deal with Reidoborn in a head-to-head duel, and then Zakhar Bardakov "shot" past.

It is noteworthy that Marat's accurate shot on target was the first for SKA after the break. Despite playing as the first number, they managed to bring the puck to the target extremely rarely, and dangerous moments could be counted on the fingers. And only towards the end, Rotenberg's charges not only came to their senses, but restored parity. The enemy helped. CSKA made a blunder and earned a sending-off for violating the roster. The protracted attack ended with a powerful shot by Igor Ozhiganov, under which Valentin Zykov put his stick, interrupting the "dry" series of 11 matches. And another participant in the combination was Damir Zhafyarov, who took to the ice for the 50th time in the KHL playoffs.

And the guests twitched. In the remaining time, they not only once again showed indiscipline, but also allowed the hosts to take the lead in the number of shots on target (8:7). Marat Khairullin attacked from the wrists, but Reideborn reacted and pulled from the near corner. Like two days ago, SKA was stronger in the second 20 minutes and created a good reserve before the decisive period.

But the hosts were spoiled by the sending-off. Andriy Pedan got two minutes for the bandwagon and allowed the visitors to organize an assault on Mykolaiv's goal. As a result, by the eighth minute, they had eight shots on target against one of the opponents. True, it was no less dangerous. In equal formations, St. Petersburg conducted a quick counterattack, which almost ended with a goal by Khusnutdinov. Marat responded to a cross to the spot, but Reidborne was alert.

There was a game on the counter courses, in which SKA succeeded. Khairullin and Damir Zhafyarov managed not only to deliver the puck to someone else's zone, but also to keep it, and vorobyov made the decisive shot. The striker, who was included in the squad for the first time since March 22, irresistibly "shot" into the far corner and left Reideborn out of work.

After that, CSKA crumbled. It all started with sergei Plotnikov's injury during the fight with Dmitry Yashkin, and continued with two consecutive unnecessary sending-offs of the visitors. With a difference of just over three minutes, Svetlakov and Dietz went to the box, leaving almost no chance for their partners to level the situation. The six Muscovites spent just over a minute on the court and failed to upset Nikolayev for the second time, who made a total of 26 saves (two fewer than Reideborn). The confrontation ended with a mass brawl, which almost turned into a full-scale fight. But the result could not be changed. SKA prevailed and equalized the series.