Two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov assessed Ak Bars Kazan a fighting chance to reach the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals, though he cautioned that advancing beyond that round would be difficult. He noted that the Kazan club has not underestimated Avtomobilist, but the season has been unsettled for Ak Bars, keeping them from settling into a consistent rhythm.
Throughout the campaign, Kazan and its coaching staff sought a clear direction, aiming to secure the majority of shifts and momentum. Kozhevnikov observed that Ak Bars needed to press the attack with intent, even if opponents were not presented with an easy path to the goal. The coach and players were exploring options to spark a sustained push, rather than waiting for a single breakthrough moment.
Commenting on the club’s investment and on-ice performance, Kozhevnikov remarked that the team spent heavily and produced strong shot quality last season, but this year they were unable to translate that into the same level of success. The mismatch between expectations and results has been a recurring theme as the series has unfolded.
After three games in the 1/8 finals, Avtomobilist holds a 3-0 lead in the series against Ak Bars. The two teams were set to contest the fourth game in Yekaterinburg on a scheduled date in March, continuing a tightly contested playoff sequence.
Historically, Ak Bars Kazan has claimed the Gagarin Cup three times, in 2009, 2010, and 2018, underscoring the franchise’s previous ability to rise to hockey’s pinnacle. On the other side, CSKA Moscow captured the current title, securing the championship on its 100th anniversary in 2023 by winning the decisive seventh game against Ak Bars Kazan, thus claiming the cup and reaffirming CSKA’s storied history in Russian hockey.
Earlier playoff fixtures featured a notable moment when Hamilton contributed to a positive atmosphere despite a defeat in the post-season, illustrating how individual efforts can influence team morale during the high-pressure playoff grind.