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HC Yugra - Metallurg Novokuznetsk: who will lead in the final?
On April 16, HC Yugra will face off Metallurg at their home Arena-Yugra in the first game of the Silk Road Cup playoff final. Who comes into this duel with more strength? Find out in our forecast.
Command Analysis
Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk
Russian FederationHC Yugra has glided through the first two rounds, only to find themselves struggling in the semifinal against furious Dinamo Saint Petersburg, nearly getting eliminated.
To begin with, in the round of 16 Vadim Yepachitsev team effortlessly beat Dinamo Krasnogorsk, granting their opponents only one victory – 4:1 (4:1, 5:1, 4:3 OT, 0:2, 5:3). In the quarterfinal, Mammoths faced the solid Khimik from Voskresensk, but the latter were unable to get a win even with the help of Spartak troopers – 4:0 (6:3, 2:1, 4:3 2OT, 4:3). But Dinamo had to play all seven games, and only the decisive shot from Kyrill Pilipenko in the last match has sealed the outcome of the series – 1:0 in the game and 4:3 (0:2, 1:0 OT, 3:0, 3:6, 3:1, 1:2, 1:0) in the series.
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Russian FederationMetallurghas been consistently strong as well and conceded just three games to their opponents. In the first round, Evgeniy Popikhin's team steamrolled over Zvezda Moscow, simply destroying them at home and winning the streak with the final score of 4:1 (4:1, 6:2, 5:4 3OT, 3:4, 7:2). Steelmakers met no resistance from Dizel, who handled the series to Metallurg in the minimum number of matches – 4:0 (4:2, 5:2, 6:2, 4:1).
No one expected a pleasure cruise against Rubin, but Metallurg surprised everyone with the ease they showed playing at home against the team from Tyumen. However, in the sixth, decisive game, Metallurg only claimed victory in overtime – 4:2 (3:2 OT, 2:3 OT, 5:0, 6:1, 3:6, 4:3 OT).
Trends
СтавкаThe first goal is scored between minutes 11-60
The teams will take a good look at each other first, before trying different ways to break through defenses.
СтавкаMetallurg: total over 2 goals
This is the lowest odds for the Kuzbass team in the playoff.
Tip and bets
This is exactly the case when you can't guess the winner, since both teams are equally strong. maybe the Siberian team has a slightly stronger attack, but Yugra balances that out with their solid defense. But we are betting on the guests, who had two extra days of rest, while Yugra had an emotionally and physically difficult game on April, 12.
Our prediction – Metallurg to win with a handicap (0) at 2,08 from BC Liga Stavok.
Both can show the best they've got in attack, but which game strategy will either team choose is a mystery. One thing is clear: everything will come down to maximum caution at the goal, and for that reason, we will consider total under.
Second wager - total under 5 goals at 1,67.
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