According to the law of the genre

The first in the history of the Gagarin Cup was the Kazan “Ak Bars”, whose hockey players in the decisive seventh match of the final series defeated the Yaroslavl “Lokomotiv” with a score of 1: 0.

It is very symbolic that the decisive match took place on the day of astronautics - the organizers clearly guessed with the date of the meeting. However, the rivals could “not live” before this date, because the same “locomotive” had a good opportunity to solve all issues a few days ago, since the Yaroslavls repeatedly went forward in the series. So, with the account of 3-2, we moved to their site, but with the support of their native audience, they could not squeeze the opponent. In the sixth match, held on April 10, the railway workers led with a score of 2: 1, but 15 minutes before the end of the third period, they missed the advantage and allowed the opponent to hold a winning puck in overtime.

The seventh duel was also the final, in which a single puck was abandoned. She was spent by Alexei Morozov in the 50th minute and the fourth second after the transfer performed by Andrei Pervoshin. By the way, the fight itself this time took place in Kazan.

The head coach of the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Kari Hikekil was so upset in the final series that he did not appear at the post-match press conference. Of course, journalists were also waiting for him, but not with such interest as the steering “Ak Bars” Zinetul Bilyaletdinov. The mentor of the Kazan club at a press conference said the following:

“The game was serious, we understood how difficult it is to play at home, the excitement was before the decisive match,” said Bilyaletdinov, whose words are given by “ Soviet sport ”. “But I'm glad for the guys, they are very conscientiously, with the return they did everything they could.” I think we are worthy of this victory. We had to win because the team went through a lot - remember Omsk, Dynamo, these games were also difficult. The guys showed character, I am very happy for them, for the whole team. And in general, I am a happy person, because I work here in Ak Bars. Thanks to you, to reporters, for support. ”

Forward of the Kazan “Ak Bars” Oleg Petrov after winning the seventh final match of the Cup of Gagarin said that the most difficult for him were the last 10 minutes of the match.

“The victory in the Gagarin Cup is a real gift,” Petrova quotes Sportbox.ru . - This is one of the most significant moments in my career. Our victory is a huge holiday for fans. The playoffs were beautiful, and equal rivals met in the final, but we were a little more lucky. Ten minutes before the end of the meeting, we understood that more than ever, they were very close to lifting the Gagarin Cup above our heads, and therefore it was very difficult to finish this last segment. ”

At the first stage of the championship of the Continental Hockey League, which passed the circular system, Ak Bars took second place (122 points), and Loko - the third (111). The winner then was the Ufa Salavat Yulaev (129).

On the way to the final of the Gagarin Cup, Ak Bars outplayed the Astaninsky Barys (3-0 in the series), Omsk Avangard (3-2), Moscow Dynamo (4-2). Lokomotiv, in turn, defeated the following commands: Nizhnekamsk "Neftekhimik" (3-1), Moscow "Spartak" (3-0), Magnitogorsk "Metallurg" (4-1).