Sergei Gomolyako, the former sports director of Metallurg, has commented on Lokomotiv’s win over Avangard in the Gagarin Cup semifinal series. In Game 7, the Omsk-based team lost 3–4 in double overtime. Yaroslavl’s squad trailed 1–3 in the series but ultimately triumphed 4–3.
**Was this the best series in the current Gagarin Cup playoffs?**
Absolutely. Especially since all other series ended quickly, while here we saw seven games, plus overtime in the decisive matches. Everything fans love to watch.
**Lokomotiv’s comebacks in Games 6 and 7 impressed everyone. How did they find the strength to turn what seemed like hopeless situations around?**
That happens in hockey. It didn’t come out of nowhere. Uncle Sasha, as he’s called, and Shalunov figured things out at crucial moments. I don’t even need to mention Radulov—his incredible dedication at nearly 40 years old! Rewatch the replay: how he carried the puck, fought for it, latched onto an opponent, and then passed to Max. Beautiful!
**Avangard had almost no weak spots, yet Yaroslavl still found them. What were those?**
Individual mistakes. When you allow two goals in less than 40 seconds… The first was a rush attack, the second—the puck on McLeod’s stick. He played in the NHL, he should understand the basics. But he started holding it, they stripped him, and that was it.
**Do you agree that Alexander Radulov is Lokomotiv’s main engine and the best player in the KHL?**
Without a doubt. He’s the league’s top star.
**Is it normal that Radulov, Surin, and Panik constantly got under the skin of opponents, including goaltender Serebryakov?**
For the playoffs, that’s definitely normal. Omsk played the same way. Teams tried to get under each other’s skin. I also praise Hartley for how smartly he shuffled players between lines at key moments. In the end, it worked and brought results.
