In a dramatic continuation of their intense playoff rivalry, the seventh and final game of the Gagarin Cup semifinal series between Yaroslavl's Lokomotiv and Omsk's Avangard has moved into overtime. The match, held at the Arena-2000-Lokomotiv, sees the score deadlocked at three goals apiece following three periods of regulation play.
The game's narrative took a significant turn during the second period. Lokomotiv found themselves trailing 1-3 midway through, facing a steep deficit on home ice. However, the team mounted a crucial comeback effort. With just seconds remaining in the second period, forward Maxim Shalunov fired a precise shot under the crossbar to cut the deficit to one goal, injecting new life into the contest.
The equalizer arrived in the third period. At the 52-minute mark, Maxim Berezkin found the back of the net, leveling the score at 3-3. The goal was set up by assists from Yegor Surin and Martin Gernat, completing the comeback and sending the decisive game to an extra period.
This overtime scenario carries a powerful sense of déjà vu for both franchises. For the second consecutive game in this series, the teams are required to play additional time to determine a winner. This pattern extends beyond the current season; in the previous year's playoffs, Lokomotiv and Avangard also battled to overtime in the seventh game of their second-round series.
The stakes could not be higher. The victor of this sudden-death overtime period will earn the right to advance to the Gagarin Cup final. Their opponent in the championship series will be Ak Bars Kazan, who have already secured their spot. The outcome of this overtime will decide which of these two resilient teams gets the chance to compete for the Kontinental Hockey League's ultimate prize.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.