Quick Glance:

Minsk has really shown they can lock down the defensive zone with a structure that includes a collection of forwards who really care about the defensive part of the game. The team was second in the league in shots allowed per game. Paris, as we all know, has lots of experience. The question is do they have the legs to take a series from a good team? But don’t assume the Rouge Eiffels are fragile just because they are older. Of their top 18 skaters, only Alex Pietrangelo and Dougie Hamilton played fewer than 78 games this season. Two of their regulars – Fyodor Malykhin and Mattias Sjogren – were Hussars recently and they would love to show Minsk management they should have held on tighter to them.

Goalies:

• Paris – Igor Shesterkin, 2.78 GAA, .897 save pct.
• Minsk – Attila Adorjan, 2.47 GAA, .900 save pct.

Top Plus/Minus players:

• Paris – Mattias Sjogren +16
• Minsk – Maxim Chudinov +56

Expert Panel Predictions:

• Commissioner Chuck: Minsk. 6 games. Statistics don’t tell 100 percent of the story, but all you need to do is look at the teams’ home and away records this season to see the Hussars should win all 4 games on home ice. Paris had a losing road record and Minsk was a majestic 39-2 in Belarus. I see the Hussars moving on to Round 2.
• Rose: Paris in 7 games. For me, the choice is simple. I asked both GMs who they would rather spend an evening with, me or Paris GM Steve Yung’s brother Delwin? Steve answered smartly. “For sure, I would rather be with Rose. She is kind and affectionate and knows how to treat a man. Also, Delwin is immature.” But Igor Kirunov said “Umm, I must think about that. OK. Delwin. He stirs something inside of me. Much better than his selfish brother. Also, Rose is old.” So I say … See you in Round 2, Monsieur Yung.