Former CSKA, Lokomotiv and Ak Bars coach Igor Gorbenko told Metaratings.ru that he believes “AK Bars” favorite for the 2022/23 Gagarin Cup season.
— The fight for the regular season playoffs continued until the last round. Does this surprise you?
– Yes, a very equal championship, there is struggle everywhere. In the West, more open and aggressive hockey. The East, on the contrary, is more closed. Remember that Metallurg started having problems – they rebuilt a bit. Zinetula Bilyaletdinov took Ak Bars: they play with discipline and the numbers immediately increased. They say they play boring hockey. Yes, it’s not boring somewhere, maybe even okay. Because they play for the result. Bilyaletdinov needed a result – he got it. They won the Eastern Conference – and Ak Bars is where it should be.
Who will win the Gagarin Cup?
– “AK Bars”.
– Can the hockey played by “Ak Bars” be called modern?
– Bilyaletdinov has his own game system – he believes in it and plays accordingly. It brings him results – it’s important. I think she’s not old at all, but disciplined. Very little adventure, but it’s a coaching idea and decision. You have to convey your requirements to the players and make sure they are met, which is very difficult. Ak Bars improved in all areas, especially in goals against ratio. They miss very little. It is the success of the team.
– What is the advantage of Ak Bars, which you consider to be the favorite of the playoffs?
– First, the coach who has already won the Cup. Second, the hockey players who went for the cups. Third, Bilyaletdinov’s consistency this season will work with the artists he currently has. Ak Bars’ defense is excellent. The minimum of anarchy is discipline in everything. Fewer suppressions, fewer counterattacks – these are key factors in the playoffs.
In the first round of the Gagarin Cup qualifiers, Ak Bars will meet Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, the first game of the series will be held on March 1 in Kazan.
Watch live broadcasts of KHL matches on the federal channel and thematic channels of the holding, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Metaratings.ru
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
