The 1/8 final clash of the Petrov Cup kicks off, with rivals from opposite ends of the bracket. Russian hockey fans await the first match of the series between "Sokol" and "Molot", who met at this stage a year ago.
The club from Krasnoyarsk, disregarding "Metallurg", was the main disappointment of the regular championship in the 2023-2024 season. Last season, "Sokol" from Krasnoyarsk played in the final of the Petrov Cup playoffs, but during the current regular championship, they risked failing to make the second stage of the championship.
All the regular championship "Sokol" were ranked between 15th and 18th position, challenging the other league representatives for a spot in the Petrov Cup playoffs. In the penultimate match day, "Sokol" ended their struggle ensuring a top-16 spot. At the finish of the regular championship, "Sokol" suffered two consecutive defeats.
The hockey players of "Molot" were the winners of the current regular championship, raising the Silk Road Cup above their heads. Over 56 matches of the current regular championship, "Molot" gathered 84 points and by additional indicators outperformed their rivals representing "Rubin" from Tyumen.
All the regular championship "Molot" showed steady results, rarely falling outside the top three. The Perm team made more progress than "Zauralye", which started its ascent last season. "Molot" took the 1st place and in the 1/8 finals will play against their last year's tormentors from Krasnoyarsk. "Molot" ended the regular championship with three consecutive victories.
"Molot" and "Sokol" met in 31 matches. "Sokol" claims 16 victories, while "Molot" came out on top in 15 matches.
The individual total over (ITO) for "Molot" is more than 2 goals.
"Molot" will win in regular time. Most likely, there won't be any upset between the 1st and 16th teams. "Molot" is motivated to knock out "Sokol" and take revenge for the previous year, especially now as the team from Krasnoyarsk is very weak and made the playoffs only due to competitors' failures, having suffered two consecutive defeats at the end of the regular championship.
Comments0