CSKA head coach Sergei Fedorov expressed a deep sense of gratitude toward his players after they clinched a seven-game Gagarin Cup playoff series against their rivals. The coach admitted that the final showdown, stretched to its limit, left him with a uneasy feeling even as victory was secured. He noted that going to seven games in both round pairs intensified the pressure and demanded every ounce of energy from the squad. Yet he thanked the players for laying it all on the ice, for summoning their last reserves of emotion and stamina in crucial moments, and for performing when it mattered most. In a candid moment captured by kp ru, Fedorov acknowledged the unconventional nature of such marathon series and suggested that the tactical side of hockey does not always reward the most spectacular heroic efforts in the final frames, even as the team’s perseverance produced the win.
On April 29, a milestone day marked by the centennial celebrations, Ak Bars Kazan emerged victorious in a 3-2 decision over CSKA in the ultimate seventh game of the final series, securing the Gagarin Cup. Kazan’s victory was powered by timely goals from Anton Slepyshev, Vladislav Kamenev, and Darren Dietz, with Kirill Petrov and Dmitry Voronkov contributing on the scoresheet to seal the triumph for their club. The result highlighted Kazan’s ability to convert pressure into a late-game edge and underscored the razor-thin margins that define championship hockey.
For CSKA, the season was marked by a dramatic seven-game playoff streak in several rounds, including a lengthy series against Severstal in the eighth-finals and another marathon against Lokomotiv in the quarterfinals. Each extended battle tested the team’s depth, discipline, and resilience, shaping a narrative of endurance that extended beyond a single series and into the broader storyline of the club’s campaign. The sequence of tight, evenly matched games emphasized the importance of sustained performance across multiple rounds and the value of collective effort when fatigue begins to mount.
Looking back at last season, Fedorov’s squad reached the Gagarin Cup final and claimed the title by defeating Metallurg Magnitogorsk, a memory that underscored the aspirational standard the team strives to defend. The coach’s approach this season, anchored in a blend of strategic discipline and emotional fortitude, sought to balance aggressive play with careful management of stamina as the playoffs unfolded and the competition intensified, a dynamic that many observers connected with the club’s broader philosophy and historical ambitions.
Meanwhile, comments surrounding the championship window, as voiced by Roman Rotenberg, drew attention to ongoing conversations about the team’s trajectory and planning for future seasons. Fedorov’s response to those remarks reflected a steady focus on immediate performance and the realities of high-stakes competition, rather than dwelling on speculative timelines. The exchange illustrated the tension that often exists between public expectations and the practical, day-to-day work of preparing a team for the grind of a playoff race, especially in a league known for its physical demands and strategic depth.