KHL Team Fires Head Coach During Mid-Playoff Series After A Brutal Loss

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Hunter Bowman
March 19, 2024 (10:33)

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In a surprising turn of events, the KHL has once again delivered a jaw-dropping moment in pro hockey. This time, a team made a bold move by firing its head coach mid-playoff series following a significant defeat.

Avangard Omsk suffered a crushing 7-0 loss in game two of their second-round playoff series against Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, following a 4-0 defeat in game one. With the series now at 2-0 in favor of Lokomotiv, the decision was made to relieve head coach Mikhail Kravets of his duties.

Sergei Zvyagin, who has been the team's goaltending coach since 2018, steps in as interim head coach of Avangard.

Reacting to the mid-series firing, former Omsk general manager Rashid Khabibullin expressed his concerns to reporters, calling it a rash and poorly thought-out decision.

"I don't know what the situation is inside the team, I have nothing to do with it. But for me, this is an ill-considered and hasty decision. If I were a leader, I wouldn't do this," Khabibullin shared with Sport24.ru.

Kravets, a former pro player with some North American experience, notably with the San Jose Sharks, remained diplomatic in response to his dismissal, stating to reporters that he harbors no ill feelings towards the club.

"This decision was announced today, there are no complaints against the club," Sport24.ru.

Source: Bladeofsteel