Ak Bars fails to win match against Traktor bound to put them through to final

Ak Bars of Kazan failed to save the 5th match of the Gagarin Cup semifinal series against Traktor of Cheliabinsk. Belov’s men 10 minutes before the final siren managed to get even and gain some overtime. Eight seconds before the additional time expired, however, they missed a goal.

The visitors in the 16th minute opened the score, the puck after Bulis’s shot slipping in between Barulin’s shin guards. Traktor for a long time wrangled to maintain the advantage but 10 minutes before the final siren Nikulin realised the double numerical advantage, winning some overtime.

Throughout the additional time, the Kazan team had several chances to complete the match in their favour, making it to the Gagarin Cup's final. The rivals proved more fortunate though. Eight seconds before the overtime ended, Kontiola scored the decisive goal.

Traktor thus reduced their lag in the semifinal series with Ak Bars, winning 2:1. The sixth game is due on 2 April in Cheliabinsk. The score in the series until four wins is 3:2 in the Ak Bars favour.
Play-off, semifinal, fifth match.

Ak Bars (Kazan) - Traktor (Cheliabinsk) -1:2 OT (0:1, 0:0, 1:0, 0:1)