Magnitogorsk hosted the fourth game of the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals, where Metallurg faced Avangard from Omsk. The visiting team edged ahead with a 4:1 victory, sealing their place in the series and advancing toward the semifinals.
The opening minutes set the tone as Avangard struck first, with Sergei Tolchinsky firing the puck past Canadian goalie Eddie Pasquale. The early goal energized the visitors, but the hosts soon found their footing. After a tightly contested stretch, Grigory Dronov converted a power play to restore parity and quiet the arena, marking a critical swing in momentum. Early in the game, Avangard faced a numerical disadvantage when Viktor Svedberg and Anton Belov were sidelined, yet their defense and depth kept them competitive through the first frame.
In the second period, Avangard reclaimed the lead, showcasing resilience and precision. Reed Boucher was relentless, breaking through the Metallurg defense and finding the back of the net to put the visitors ahead again. The game stayed within reach for the home team, but Avangard continued to press, maintaining a narrow edge as the minutes ticked away. The tactical shifts from both benches were evident, with special teams and shot selection playing pivotal roles in framing the scoreline.
The final act finalised the result when Alex Broadhurst added an insurance marker, hitting the empty net in the 58th minute. The clinching goal underscored Avangard’s advantage and sealed a 4:1 win, extending their lead in the series and setting the stage for a focused push toward the semifinals.
With this result, the series stood at 4-0 in favor of Avangard, placing them among the last four teams in the Gagarin Cup chase. Earlier momentum in the tournament was reflected in the other semifinal picture, with St. Petersburg SKA earning their spot by overpowering Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo in a 4:0 sweep, demonstrating the breadth of competition across the league. The other semifinal pairings were still being decided, with the upcoming matchups featuring Ak-Bars against Admiral and Lokomotiv facing CSKA as the battle for a final spot intensified across the bracket.
In other notes around the league, a former Metallurg player, Semyon Koshelev, was involved in an off-ice matter that drew attention. Reports indicated he was connected to an admission of bribery linked to military service avoidance and education, stirring discussions about career paths and post-playing opportunities for athletes within the region. The surrounding conversations highlighted how player movement, discipline, and life after sport intersect with the broader sports ecosystem in the country, including universities and professional pathways.