The Ural pogrom, a failed 0:4 comeback and the red and white are one step away from relegation. What happened in the match “Metallurg” – “Spartak”

Spartak is one step away from being eliminated from the playoffs. Muscovites managed to concede four goals in a row from Metallurg, responded with three goals in uneven formations and seemed to be aiming for a comeback, but they could not hold on at the end of the match and left Ural lead – 3:5 in the match, 2:3 in the quarterfinals.

“KP Sport” – about what happened in the match “Metallurg” – “Spartak”.

Expectation/reality

In previous meetings, Spartak felt the very knots by which Metallurg can be pulled. In Moscow, the red and white finally “wet” Ilya Nabokov, adding to this local success two important victories in a row (5:2; 1:0). Whoosh – and the boring 0:2 of the series turned into a promising 2:2.

Before match No. 5, Muscovites also received a double dose of positivity: Nikolai Goldobin became a father and Alexander Belyaev celebrated his 25th birthday. If these events are not the best time for emotional recovery, then what is?

However, everything immediately went wrong. First, Ilya Kovalchuk was not included in the lineup for the first time in 3 games. Whatever anyone says, the veteran has a great influence on the character of the team. Secondly, the visitors’ attack did not go well from the start. Thirdly, Alexei Zhamnov’s team frankly failed from the first majority. Ural simply did not allow the Spartak team to gain a foothold in their zone.

And as soon as the lineups lined up, Magnitogorsk also opened the scoring: Yurov received the puck on the center line, entered the zone along the right side, saw the far free corner and shot there wrist shot. Nikolaev was helpless – 1:0.

In the 12th minute, the hosts again broke through the Spartak defense. Zernov did just that, playing with Kantserov and finishing at the far post after a return pass. Well, 52 seconds before the break, Yurov, forgotten by everyone, skated to the nickel and fought for the rebound, after which the puck hit his skate and flew into the net. Double from Danila, 3:0 in favor of Metallurg!

Vovchenko achieved the majority, and Maltsev – the minority

In the second half, the red and whites managed no less than 18 shots on target. But it was no use: Nabokov continued to control the situation for his own purposes. Roll-ups, skirmishes near the nickel and other tricks of the opponent did not affect his composure in any way.

And although, thanks to aggression, the Muscovites repeatedly achieved mutual dismissal, in the 35th minute they outsmarted themselves: Zaitsev clearly caught Kantserov in someone else’s zone, almost injured and left his team in a “3 against 4” format. . “Metallurg” took advantage of the gift: Vovchenko waited until Press was transferred to the left throw-in circle and threw under the crossbar to Kareev, who had replaced Nikolev in the first half.

Ural could have scored the fifth goal. They could have, if they hadn’t missed… the majority! Spartak won a throw-in in their zone and staged a quick two-on-one counterattack, and Maltsev advanced towards the goal along the left edge and aimed a precise shot into the right corner. Small, but a success: Spartak scored the first away goal of the series in 2.5 matches.

And already in the third period, Spartak almost saved themselves. But the deletion ruined everything

Have you forgotten the crazy character of Spartak? So congratulations: we made it this far and made it to the playoffs.

It all started with Kantserov being sent off in the 48th minute. The Red and White immediately organized an attack, during which Poryadin left the puck for Rubtsov to shoot. And while Herman “pierced” Nabokov, Pavel lost his balance. A second later he flew there, but the goal was not canceled. The puck hit the net before the collision.

Another minute and Magnitogorsk will once again remain in the minority. And Spartak scores again! Goldobin made a pass towards the goal line – Loktionov shot at the nickel – Poryadin sent the puck into the goal.

Naturally, the minimal lag inspired Muscovites. Naturally, they immediately flew back. Only with pressure, the team overdid it a little: Tsyplakov demolished Nabokov and received a 2-minute penalty, and Korobkin converted the power play from the center of the zone.

Then there were zealous attempts by the guests to return to the game, the appearance of the sixth defender, the reliability of Magnitogorsk’s defense and the final siren. 5:3, Metallurg regained the lead in the series and could reach the semi-finals in the next match.

The next match will take place at Megasport. A good sign for Spartak?

If the previous meeting was a remake of Game 2, today’s game seems to have been copied from the opening game of the series. And it’s not just about Metallurg’s 4+ goals. The Foxes felt relaxed again. At least for the first 40 minutes.

Spartak fought against the wall for a long time and only activated when the situation became critical. Thanks for the return attempt, of course. But was it really worth reducing the problem to 0:4?

No one will bury the reds and whites in advance. Additionally, they will play the sixth match in their native Megasport. In the context of this series, this is a very important point: so far only the home team has won the matches.

So, are we waiting for match no. 7? Or will Magnitogorsk not allow it?

Gagarin Cup, 1/4 final. Match #4

“Metallurg” – “Spartak” – 5:3 (3:0; 1:1; 1:2)

Goals: 1:0 – Yurov, 07:08 (Petunin, Maklyukov), 2:0 – Zernov, 11:36 (Kantserov), 3:0 – Yurov, 19:08 (Petunin, Mikhailis), 4:0 – Vovchenko , 34:41 (Press, Geraskin; 5×4), 4:1 – Maltsev, 37:36 (Rukavshnikov; 4×5), 4:2 – Rubtsov, 48:26 (Poryadin, Goldobin; 5×4), 4:3 – Poryadin, 51:12 (Loktionov, Goldobin; 5×4), 5:3 – Korobkin, 54:58 (Press, Johnson).