Guy Boucher, head coach of Avangard, shared his thoughts on the team’s forced delay in Yaroslavl following their defeat against Lokomotiv. After taking a 3-1 lead in the series, Avangard fell to Lokomotiv 3-4 in Game 7 of the Gagarin Cup semifinals.
Due to a temporary suspension of air travel, Avangard was unable to depart Yaroslavl as scheduled after the game. The team eventually traveled by bus to Moscow to catch a flight home.
When asked about the support from fans at the airport, Boucher said, “It was tough. Losing is always unpleasant, painful, and sad. But here, it was doubly so because we got stuck in Yaroslavl. We were staying right across from the arena where the loss happened. It was constantly in our faces, and we just wanted to get out.”
Reflecting on the team’s chemistry, he added, “In all my 30 years of coaching, I’d say we had the best atmosphere, synergy, and chemistry in this group. It also developed on a human level. I felt heartbroken for the guys. My heart was shattered at that moment.”
“Our journey home was not easy. When we came out of the airport, it was very emotional. The fans were chanting our names. I felt sorry that it ended this way,” Boucher concluded.
Avangard returned to Omsk after Game 7 against Lokomotiv, traveling by bus from Yaroslavl to Moscow before flying back. Fans greeted the players at the airport late at night.
