Metallurg Magnitogorsk have beaten Barys to grab the last quarter-final spot in the KHL play-offs. A 2-1 win gave them ultimate victory in the series, in which they found themselves trailing 1 game to 3, eventually prevailing 4-3.
Sergey Mozyakin opened for Metallurg before Czech forward Lukash Kash-par tied the game midway through the second period. But veteran defender Daniil Markov grabbed the all-important goal, three minutes into overtime.
Metallurg will play Avangard in the last eight.
“We know Avangard very well. This is a well-balanced team playing dynamic hockey. They won four games in-a-row in their series against Amur, which is the best proof of their might. But this time they meet Metallurg,” said the team’s iconic captain, Sergey Fedorov.
Regular champions Traktor Chelyabinsk and two-time holders Ak Bars will make up another pair in the East. Meanwhile, Western powerhouse SKA will take on last year’s finalists Atlant, while Dynamo Moscow will test Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
The best-of seven series will kick off on Tuesday in the West and Wednesday in the East.