Blackhawks winger Max Shalunov and CSKA Moscow defeated Avangard Omsk 3-2 in overtime to complete a four-game sweep and capture the KHL’s Gagarin Cup on Friday in Omsk, Russia.
CSKA Moscow rallied from a two-goal deficit and Maxim Mamin scored the Cup-winning goal off a feed from former Blackhawks defenseman Klas Dahlbeck, who had two assists in the series. Former Blackhawks goalie prospect Lars Johansson suited up for CSKA, but didn’t play.
Maxim Mamin deflects the puck and CSKA wins the Gagarin Cup! pic.twitter.com/GP5Y5TiCbl
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) April 19, 2019
#Blackhawks Max Shalunov celebrates winning the KHL’s #GagarinCup with CSKA Moscow!
(via @Zeb_Habs) pic.twitter.com/WkmF3ViK4S
— 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏 Cain (@brandonmcain) April 19, 2019
Former Blackhawks defenseman Cody Franson had a goal and an assist in the series, with his goal giving Avangard a 2-0 lead in Game 4 before CSKA’s comeback. Another former Blackhawks player in winger Viktor Stalberg and defenseman prospect Ville Pokka suited up for Avangard. Stalberg tallied a power-play goal in Game 1.
Shalunov, a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 by Chicago, only point in the series was an assist in CSKA Moscow’s 3-0 win in Game 2. Blackhawks goaltender prospect Ivan Nalimov, a 2014 sixth-round selection, made two saves in 11:53 of relief work in the third period for Avangard in a 5-2 loss in Game 1.
Shalunov tallied 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 20 playoff games after scoring 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 55 regular-season games. The 26-year-old has one year left on his contract with CSKA and could join the Blackhawks for the 2020-21 season.
CSKA gets the Gagarin Cup and the KHL season is done for this year. pic.twitter.com/1eZ3qi94Ik
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) April 19, 2019