Former head coach of the national teams of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Vladimir Krikunov in a conversation with , he said that “Ak Barsu” you cannot extend the streak with the admiral in the second round of the Gagarin Cup, so as not to repeat the fate of Salavat Yulaev.
On Saturday, Ak Bars and Admiral beat Neftekhimik and Salavat Yulaev respectively in the first round of the Gagarin Cup, 4-2. The teams will face off in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
– I had no doubt that Ak Bars would go through to the second round. In terms of composition, Kazan is stronger than Salavat Yulaev, it will be difficult to overtake them. But the Admiral’s rivals are hit hard by the weather factor. Far Easterners are used to flying far and changing time zones, for them there is nothing special about it. But other clubs are struggling to compete in the playoffs in such a difficult regime. Therefore, Ak Bars must immediately ask a question in the second round, so as not to extend the series, as with Neftekhimik, to six games. Bars need to get two home wins at once, win one more game away and finish it all in Kazan. But if they stretch the series, like Salavat, who had to go to Vladivostok for the second time, then it will be difficult for them,” Krikunov told .
The first games of the Gagarin Cup conference semifinals will take place on March 16 and 17.
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Source : MatchTV
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