Review of the VHL playoffs first round

CHAMPIONS EXIT

Neftyanik, the 2015/2016 champions, went crashing out in the first round to HC Dynamo Balashikha. They went down to their Moscow Region opponents 2:4 in the series, failing to win a single home match during that time.

HC Toros, a previous VHL champion, fell at the hands of HC Dynamo Saint Petersburg. With Dynamo being a VHL debutant, everyone expected Toros to emerge the victors, but the Saint Petersburg outfit put on a number of superb performances to clinch a 4:2 series triumph. 

KAZAKH VICTORIES

For the first time in VHL history, two Kazakhstan representatives have made it into the playoffs second round. Saryarka are regular playoff experts, but Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk, the 2016/2017 VHL regular season winners, managed to beat Izhstal in order to finally advance beyond the first stage. Can they continue making waves in the Russian second division?

PYOTR VOROBYOV IS ON A ROLL

Famous Russian ice hockey head coach Pyotr Vorobyov is enjoying himself with HC SKA-Neva Saint Petersburg. Since taking over last summer, SKA-Neva have gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the VHL's leading lights. After grabbing second place in the VHL regular season, SKA-Neva ousted a strong HC Ryazan side 4:0 in the first round. Pretty impressive.

THC Tver, a team which once led the way in the regular season, hit financial trouble and were eventually whitewashed by Rubin Tyumen in the opening round 0:4. 

SEVEN MATCH SERIES

Zauralye were taken all the way by Sokol, but they managed to snatch a 4:3 series victory in game seven. The only other series in the first round to go the distance was between Sputnik and Ermak, a series which went Sputnik's way 4:3. Sputnik were at one point leading 3:0 in the series, but after letting that advantage slip, they did finally see their stubborn Ermak opponents off.

BEST PLAYERS

The best goalkeeper was named as Ilyas Gafiullin, a Zauralye player. He racked up a 96.7 saves percentage and a 1.04 goals against average.

Sputnik's Evgeny Dubrovin is the top defenseman. He took five points (2+3) and a +4 plus/minus rating.

Vladislav Efremov of Dynamo Balashikha has been crowned the best forward. In his series, he earned six points (3+3) and a plus/minus rating of +6.

SKA-Neva forwad Ivan Larichev is the best rookie. Against Ryazan, Ivan notched four points (2+2) and a +4 plus/minus rating.

SECOND ROUND DRAW:

Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (1) versus Dynamo Saint Petersburg (12);

SKA-Neva (2) versus Rubin Tyumen (10);

Saryarka Karaganda (3) versus Zauralye (8);

Sputnik Nizhny-Tagil (4) versus Dynamo Balashikha (6).

Series begin on the 12th and 13th of March.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation