In Kazan, Primorsky “Admiral” lost the second match of the semi-finals to “Ak Bars”

The match ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the Kazan team, which took the lead in the series – 2:0

A miracle has not happened yet, although the Primorsky “Admiral” is doing everything not just to serve a number in the semi-finals of the “Vostok” conference. The rival is very difficult – Kazan “Ak Bars” finished the regular season in first place, and then knocked out Neftekhimik from the fight for the Gagarin Cup in the quarterfinals, nevertheless, the “sailors” unexpectedly for everyone passed to the second rounddon’t look like whipping boys.

The hosts started the first period very actively – Kazan before the flight to Vladivostok wanted confidently dominate the series, “Admiral” endured and waited for his moment. Nikita Serebryakov, who played at the gate, was reliable as always, and field players selflessly helped their goalkeeper. By the end of the period, when the activity of the Ak Bars players decreased slightly, the Admiral carried out several dangerous counterattacks. And on 15 minutes the puck flew into the gates of Timur Bilyalov.

The goalkeeper of Ak Bars parried the first throw from a penny, but he failed to cope with the rebound from Anton Berlev, literally before the match, removed from the list of injured. Timur showed that a goal review was needed, but the Leopard coaching staff did not insist on this. Since the goalkeeper played outside the goalkeeper’s area. “Admiral” took the lead – 0:1 instilling hope in their fans.

Unfortunately, the Far East could not keep the advantage. On the 28th minute, the Kazan team won back the difference in the score – Ilya Safonov scored, and on the 54th minute after Vadim Shipacheva’s goal, they took the lead. Attempts by “Admiral” to transfer the game to overtime after the removal of Vasily Tokranov, when Leonid Tambiev first took a time out and then swept the goalkeeper with the sixth outfield, were not successful. Ak Bars wins the second conference semi-final match in a row and creates a quite comfortable advantage in the series – 2:0.

– The whole series is combat, within a radius of one throw, one moment. I want to thank my guys, in this match there were five defenders left, a big load fell on them. The guys are great, they played for each other, endured, showed character. Too bad we didn’t land the winning throw. The guys have the right philosophy, we will move to Vladivostok and continue to fight. As for the state of Dinar Khamidullin, the guy is a hero. They broke his finger, crushed it, he got out. In the second period, he was pushed on board, he was injured again on that finger. I respect these players. That’s why we’re playing in the second round because there are guys like that. I agree with the fact that Ak Bars dominated today for three periods. What is the reason? Because this is Ak Bars, they dominate with many teams. We endured, blocked, defended. Everything was within one throw. Ak Bars dominated today, I agree. What is the main reason for the defeat? I know the reason, but I will not voice it. Ak Bars played very well today, there are many Gagarin Cup winners, world champions, Olympic champions in the team. I am proud of my guys, for many of them this is the first playoffs in general. When we win the series – I will voice the reason, – said Leonid Tambiev, head coach of HC Admiral.

The Ak Bars mentor was satisfied with the game, but he is still sure that it is too early to relax.

– It was a very good match, the teams played great – actively, aggressively, creating chances. We had a very good first period, but, unfortunately, we made a mistake there, we had to supplement. But we played quite correctly, nevertheless we scored our goal, which was necessary. And in the end, they realized the majority, which is very important. In the first period, they completely dominated, but still could not come out ahead. It is difficult to say what is the reason. I think that the opponent’s goalkeeper played well, perhaps somewhere we were unlucky. But if you keep playing like that, you’ll still score. There are serious matches, struggle, and we are preparing for a serious game, – stressed Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, head coach of HC Ak Bars.

Teams now move to Vladivostok, where already on Monday, March 20 and on Wednesday, March 22, two matches will be held under the arches of the Fetisov Arena. Admiral has a chance to win back the gap and level the score in the series.

Read also: Primorsky “Admiral” lost to “Ak Bars” in the first match of the second round. The game was decided by the removal, the sailors were able to recoup from 0:2, but missed another goal in the minority.

When and where will the Primorsky Admiral and Ak Bars play in the conference semi-final. As usual in the playoffs, teams will start with two games at home and two away.