In a post‑season return to form, SKA’s head coach Roman Rotenberg spoke after the KHL regular season clash with Avangard, directing his criticism toward Avangard’s coach Mikhail Kravets. Rotenberg suggested Kravets was behind an aggressive moment that led to a teammate’s injury, pointing to a pattern he believed had been observed before. His comments, relayed via the KHL press service, framed the game as one where energy and tactics collided, and where discipline on the ice should trump any attempt to press an opponent into making bold, risky plays. Rotenberg’s takeaway was clear: the team should focus on cleanly playing hockey rather than resorting to provocative actions in the heat of the moment. (attribution: KHL press service)
Rotenberg emphasized that despite the fatigue that can accompany a long season, his squad delivered a solid performance and demonstrated character. He noted that a fresher opponent appeared to have the advantage at times, yet the game remained competitive. The core of his concern rested on the moment when the Avangard coaching staff allegedly ordered an aggressive response to Tolchinsky, an approach Rotenberg framed as inappropriate. He stressed that hockey is a sport built on speed, skill, and fair play, and he urged teams to rely on those fundamentals rather than premeditated attempts to injure an opponent. (attribution: KHL press service)
Sergei Tolchinsky suffered a injury late in the second period after a hard, two‑handed lunge delivered by Nikita Kholodilin. The call on the ice was a two‑minute minor for Kholodilin, a penalty that did not reflect a major infraction in Rotenberg’s view but did not spare the forward from the collision. The incident sparked further discussion about on‑ice discipline and the boundaries of physical play, especially in a league where every shift can tilt momentum. (attribution: KHL press service)
The game, held at G‑Drive Arena in Omsk, finished with the home side posting a 9‑5 victory. The winning tally included a standout performance from Reed Boucher, who found the net three times, while Ivan Igumnov added two goals. Other scorers for the winning team were Igor Martynov, Tomas Yurcho, and Ivan Nikolishin. The Kübel‑led attack helped push the score into double digits, underscoring a high‑tempo, offensively charged affair that kept fans engaged from the opening horn to the final buzzer. (attribution: KHL press service)
From SKA’s lineup, Arseniy Gritsyuk, Marat Khairullin, Vasily Glotov, Pavel Dedunov, and Stepan Falkovsky all found the back of the net, contributing to a game that showcased depth and offensive versatility across multiple lines. The scoring distribution highlighted a concerted effort to balance speed, shot placement, and relentless forechecking, elements that have become a hallmark of SKA’s style of play this season. (attribution: KHL press service)
Earlier in the season, Boucher had already set a record for foreign players in the KHL, marking a notable milestone in the league’s history and adding to the narrative around a player who has made a significant impact in international competition. The broader context of the match thus intertwined individual achievements with team strategy, underscoring the varied factors that can influence a contest of this scale and intensity. (attribution: KHL press service)