Former Russian national team player and ex-head of Avangard Omsk Maxim Sushinsky weighed in on the fifth game of the Eastern Conference final, labeling Kazan Ak Bars’ victory as not entirely earned. He argued that the outcome hinged on refereeing rather than merit on the ice, suggesting that Ak Bars should have faced a different fate in overtime. According to Sushinsky, the officiating in that game felt out of sync with the flow of a tightly contested playoff bout, and the absence of a decisive call altered the trajectory of the series.
The game, held at Tatneft Arena in Kazan, finished with Ak Bars prevailing 3-2 in overtime, sealing a dramatic win in front of their home crowd. The decisive moment, along with the penalty calls, sparked intense discussion among fans and analysts about whether the best team won on the night or whether the referees influenced the result more than usual in a postseason clash.
On the scoresheet, Ak Bars received goals from Dmitry Yudin, Kirill Adamchuk, and Vadim Shipachev, while Avangard replied through Aleksey Bereglazov and Reed Boucher. The tight scoreline reflected a contested matchup where both teams traded chances and momentum swung in the overtime period, leaving observers wondering what might have been under a different set of officiating decisions.
With this victory, Ak Bars, alongside CSKA Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg, moved into contention for the Gagarin Cup. The current series status shows a 2-2 tie, setting the stage for a decisive stretch as the conference final presses toward a conclusion.
In another notable development, Vladimir Krikunov, a former head coach of the national team, weighed in on the decision to exclude Nikita Gusev from the SKA Saint Petersburg lineup, citing alcohol-related concerns. The remark sparked dialogue about roster discipline and how coaching staff handle off-ice issues within high-stakes playoff rosters.
Collectively, the final phase of the Eastern Conference finals has underscored how emotional, high-visibility playoff hockey can become a stage for debate about officiating, accountability, and the balancing of talent with team outcomes. Fans and analysts continue to examine every goal, penalty, and managerial decision as both Ak Bars and their rivals prepare for the next pivotal games in this postseason race for the Gagarin Cup.