The unexpected break in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) did not alter the plans of Spartak Moscow and Metallurg Magnitogorsk, players and coaches insisted after the pause, as two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov explained in an interview with socialbites.ca. The quarter-final series scheduled for March 23 remained on track, and the league kept its timetable intact despite the interruption.
According to Kozhevnikov, moving the next game to March 26 would not change the outcome of the following clash. He expressed confidence that the shift would not tilt the balance for either side, noting that both teams had geared up for Saturday’s contest and would now adjust to a Tuesday fixture instead. Spartak, he added, would need to replicate the same level of performance as in the opening home game, and there would be ample time to prepare for the new date. Kozhevnikov stressed that the pause should not derail the teams, and that the focus would be on a strong showing on the home ice. In his words, the expectation remained clear: Spartak would secure victory, and the series would progress as planned.
The fourth game in the Spartak – Metallurg series is slated for Tuesday, March 26, to be held at Megasport Arena in the capital. The schedule now lists the opening faceoff at 19:30 Moscow time, giving both teams a shared window to refocus and deliver a competitive performance after the break.
Historically, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) imposed a ban on Russian players from participating in all international tournaments in 2022. Earlier that July, the IIHF Disciplinary Committee denied a request from the Russian Hockey Federation to rejoin international events, a decision that left a lasting impression on how the sport’s global calendar was perceived by Russian clubs and players alike, shaping their preparation and strategy at the domestic level for the season that followed.
There were also remarks from observers in the United States about Alexander Ovechkin’s career trajectory, with some noting that his peak years might be behind him. While these assessments reflect opinions voiced at the time, they added to the broader conversation about the evolving landscape of professional hockey and the performance expectations placed on veteran players in a league driven by youth and speed.