“Lokomotiv” is on the verge of winning the title. Fraz’s double performance has put Ak Bars on the b…

“Lokomotiv” is on the verge of winning the title. Freyz’s performance helped Ak Bars to reach the brink of elimination. Yaroslavl’s Lokomotiv made a crucial step towards defending their title as the best team in the country. They won the fifth match in the final series of the Gagarin Cup. Kazan’s Ak Bars couldn’t withstand the systematic pressure from the railway team, especially during the crucial second period, when two goals were scored in just 85 seconds. Freyz was the main architect of this success. He scored two goals and effectively broke the psychological resistance of the opponents. Now, the score in the series is 3-2 in favor of Yaroslavl. Kazan has no room to retreat. Another defeat will end their chances of making it to the playoffs. On Thursday, Lokomotiv can officially defend their title on home ice. The suspense remains, but the initiative, statistics, and playing style clearly favor Igor Nikitin’s team.