Before the Avangard vs. Barys game

In their final game of 2025, Barys will face Avangard in Omsk.

The Omsk side is the closest challenger to Eastern Conference leader Metallurg. Avangard comes into the matchup riding a five-game winning streak. In their most recent outing, the Hawks edged Lada at home in a shootout, 4–3. Semyon Chistyakov, Alexander Volkov, and Andrew Poturalski scored in regulation, with Poturalski also netting the decisive shootout goal. Andrey Mishurov made 25 saves. Head coach Guy Boucher noted that his players expended a lot of energy in the previous game against Metallurg Magnitogorsk, but still found the strength to tip the scales in their favor.

After 38 games, Avangard has collected 55 points. Konstantin Okulov (14 goals, 28 assists) ranks among the top four scorers in the league. Damir Sharipzyanov (11+24) and Maxime Lagace (7+23) sit first and third, respectively, among the league’s highest-scoring defensemen.

On Saturday in Astana, Barys once again struggled with finishing and lost to Amur. Despite firing 41 shots, Kirill Panyukov was the only player to score. Andrey Shutov made 12 saves. Head coach Mikhail Kravets described the team’s recent run as paradoxical: despite controlling play and outshooting opponents, the Bars have now suffered four straight losses.

The Kazakhstani side remains on 34 points after 41 games. Riley Walsh (9 goals, 16 assists) continues to lead the team in scoring. Goaltender Adam Shil is still recovering from injury, and forward Semyon Simonov will also be unavailable for today’s game.

The puck drops for Avangard vs. Barys at 6:30 p.m. Astana time.
The game will be broadcast live on KHL and Qazsport.

General partner of HC Barys: Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC
Partner of HC Barys: Tourism and Sports Industry Support Fund

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