Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
HC Sochi by 2If you came here hoping for a match where the goalkeepers steal the show, I hate to break it to you--you're sure going to be disappointed. Neither Yevgeni Volokhin nor Sergei Ivanov of HC Sochi, nor Viktor Kobozev and Damir Shaimardanov from Amur Khabarovsk have gotten anywhere near a puck in the last month. A meteorology aficionado might say there's been more activity in the Sahara Desert than between those pipes recently... but I wouldn't be so harsh. We color commentators have a code, you know.
Looking at the top players is a bit more uplifting, though. On HC Sochi's side, the efforts of Artur Tyanulin and Daniil Seroukh can't be ignored. These guys have been peppering the net consistently, racking up some impressive numbers for goals and assists. A round of applause too, for Timur Khafizov, a hidden gem with a knack for scoring.
For Amur Khabarovsk, the main man on the grid is certainly Alex Galchenyuk. His goal count this season is a testament to his prowess, and he doesn't look like he's slowing down. Vladislav Barulin and Alex Broadhurst deserve honorable mentions, providing a strong support with their assists.
The previous clashes between these two have been a real mixed bag. With one win each, it's like trying to pick the better of two half-eaten sandwiches. Regular season record doesn't help much either - neither team is exactly vying for the title of 'Hockey Juggernaut of the Year’. The recent results show a trend where HC Sochi have had better luck on the ice compared to Khabarovsk, but then again, luck can be a fickle mistress.
So, where does that leave us? On the rock and a hard place, my friends. Given the data at hand, I'd take HC Sochi for the win. But remember - these upcoming games are still played on ice, and that's something that can result in surprises just as much as any amount of data you can throw at me.
Albert’s Prediction: HC Sochi by 2