Defender Grigory Panin from Salavat Yulaev Ufa shared his thoughts on a tough playoff loss to Admiral Vladivostok, speaking to the YouTube channel Slippery Ice. He reflected on the travel and preparation leading into the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the Gagarin Cup, offering a clear view of what the team faced and how the series unfolded.
Panin explained that the travel schedule kept both teams in similar conditions, noting that Salavat Yulaev even benefited from a direct flight at times. He described the logistical realities that teams juggle during a high-stakes postseason run, where every hour on the road can influence on-ice performance. In Panin’s view, these factors are part of the game at the elite level, where approach and readiness can tilt a series just as much as speed and skill on the ice.
From a tactical standpoint, Panin criticized the defensive approach employed by Admiral. He described a game plan built around a sturdy defensive structure, with limited sustained pressure in the opponent’s zone. According to Panin, the strategy involved efficient zone exits, disciplined line changes, and minimal pursuit once a line was deployed, with the opposition rotating fresh players into the game to maintain pressure rather than chasing the puck aggressively. He recalled the challenge of penetrating a compact defense and the sense that creating high-danger chances required patient, precise puck movement rather than quick, forceful attempts that ended with turnovers.
The series ended with Admiral Vladivostok defeating Salavat Yulaev 4-2, securing Admiral’s first-ever advancement to the second round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Panin noted the significance of reaching that milestone for the Vladivostok club, highlighting how a deep playoff run can elevate a team’s profile and confidence heading into the next season. In the semifinals of the Eastern Conference, Admiral was eliminated by Kazan’s Ak Bars with a 2-4 mark in the series, a result that underscored the competitive gap and the razor-thin margins that define postseason hockey.
As the Continental Hockey League (KHL) playoffs continued, the landscape in the West shifted with CSKA and SKA facing off in the conference final. The series opened with Moscow holding a 1-0 lead, signaling a tight, high-stakes contest between two powerhouses. In parallel Western matchups, Ak Bars and Avangard Omsk each captured one win, highlighting a postseason where every game carries playoff intensity and every shift can change the momentum of a series. The current holder of the Gagarin Cup remains CSKA, a reminder of the high standard expected from the league’s most storied franchises.
Looking ahead, observers note that the KHL’s postseason is about more than a single series. It reflects a league-wide battle among teams with deep rosters, veterans who know how to navigate the pressure, and young players pushing to prove themselves on the big stage. The outcomes of these games will influence a range of factors, from coaching decisions and tactical adjustments to player development trajectories and franchise direction in the off-season. The broader narrative of the playoffs centers on resilience, adaptability, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence that characterizes elite-level hockey in Russia and its neighboring regions. [citation: Slippery Ice YouTube channel]