KHL finals: Loko hunt down Snow Leopards in Yaroslavl
Published 05 April, 2009, 18:56
Favorites Lokomotiv Yaroslav have gone into a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against AK Bars in the KHL finals, beating the visitors from Kazan 3-0.
Lokomotiv was again first to score as they punished the guests for their first foul using the power play. After a strong shot by Aleksandr Galimov the puck ricocheted from the banking board and came to Marcus Nilson, who hammered it past AK Bars keeper Fredrik Norrena, kicking things off 1-0.
The ex-NHL superstar Aleksey Yashin doubled the score in the second period and once again AK Bars were a man down when Czech Zbynek Irgl struck, converting yet another power play for his team, making it 2-0.
The guests had a great chance to return into the game when Dmitry Semen received a 20-minute penalty for stabbing, but Loko stood firm in their defense, giving the Snow Leopards little chance during their five-minute power play.
When the squads leveled, Yaroslavl got their third dose of Loko punishment. The puck took a deflection from Juhan Okerman’s stick after a kick from Vitaly Akikeyenko.
AK Bars, who launched an impressive comeback two days ago and won Game Two of the series despite being three goals down, couldn’t repeat their miracle a second time.
This time coach Kari Heikkila’s men were a lot more attentive on the day and maintained the 3-0 score till the very end.
Lokomotiv are 2-1 ahead in the battle for the Gagarin Cup, with Match Four of the series to take place in Yaroslavl on April 6.
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