"Avangard's head coach acknowledges the period required for team cohesion"
Avangard Struggles with Power Play in Recent Games
In the world of ice hockey, the KHL season is underway, and one team that has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike is Avangard. However, their recent performances in power plays have left much to be desired.
Avangard kicked off the new season with a victory, winning their first game against an opponent with a score of 2:1. The team's first two points of the season came from this match. But since then, their power play has not been successful in the last two games.
In today's game against Amur, Avangard had five power play opportunities, but they were unable to convert any of them into goals. Guy Boucher, the main coach of Avangard, attributed this struggle to the emotions and nerves of the players.
Boucher believes that staying calm and intelligently using the puck is key for power play success, but Avangard often fails to do so. He warns that over-reliance on special teams can create an imbalance and emphasizes the importance of winning games with equal lineups rather than relying solely on special teams.
According to Boucher, learning to win with 5 on 5 is crucial before special teams become effective. He expects it to take about a month and a half or two for the team to gel and develop chemistry.
The team played well overall, according to Boucher, apart from the period after conceding a goal. Boucher stated that the team became more nervous after conceding a goal, and this affected their performance.
The Avangard players who participated in the KHL game against Dinamo Moscow on Monday, September 13, 2025, and who made their first appearance that season included forward Nikolai Prokhorkin, defender Damir Sharipzyanov, forwards Dmitry Rashevsky, Alexander Volkov, and Giovanni Fiore.
Looking forward, Avangard's next game will be on September 13 against Dinamo. Boucher will be hoping for a better performance from his team, particularly in the power play, as they aim to continue their winning ways in the KHL.
