Kazan managed to cut CSKA’s lead down to just one game as the series moves back to Moscow for game six.
A snipe by Stanislav Galiyev saved the season for Ak Bars, who achieved a hard-fought – and well-deserved – victory to force the series to a sixth game. The Muscovites got the early lead in the opening frame, but Alexander Radulov and Galiyev scored for the hosts, who were down 1-3 in the series in 2015 as well, but back then SKA eventually claimed the title with a final 4-1 series score.
Series stand
CSKA is leading the series 3-2 (1:4, 3:0, 3:2, 2:1, 1:2)
About the game
Prokhor Poltapov scored a highlight-reel goal late in the opening frame as CSKA got an early advantage, but Ak Bars managed to strike back with Alex Radulov midway through the game and win the game and save the season in the closing frame with a snipe by Stanislav Galiyev. Timur Bilyalov had seventeen saves between the pipes, with a couple of crucial intervenes in the early second period, with CSKA seeking to double its advantage following Poltapov’s tally. He also was under severe pressure after Galiyev’s goal as the Muscovites pulled his colleague Adam Reideborn for a sixth skater, but the home goalie managed to keep the situation under control as the series return to Moscow tonight. Maxim Mamin returned to CSKA’s lineup in game five as he skated in his 100th playoff game, but the move didn’t change the situation as Ak Bars claimed a well-deserved win.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ forwards Vadim Shipachyov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky are in the run to reach an assist milestone, with Shipachyov getting close to 600 (currently at 599), and the latter seeking his 300th (currently at 299).
