Former SKA head coach Sergei Cherkas analyzed Lokomotiv’s semifinal series win over Avangard in the 2026 Gagarin Cup playoffs. Trailing 1-3 in the series, Yaroslavl staged a remarkable comeback to win 4-3 and advance to the final against Ak Bars.
“Of course, we’d love every series to be this exciting. Players and coaches wouldn’t because of the nerves and stress, but for fans it was a fantastic spectacle. This series was a gift, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it,” Cherkas said.
He was critical of Avangard coach Guy Boucher’s decisions in Game 6. “Guy Boucher lost the series. When the score reached 2-1 in the sixth game, he should have called a timeout and put out players capable of protecting the lead. Instead, they conceded right after, made an unjustified icing, and it became 2-2.”
Cherkas added that Lokomotiv was better conditioned physically throughout the series. “Avangard defeated themselves,” he concluded.
