Avangard Omsk defenseman Anton Belov’s provisional doping ban has made the Gagarin Cup final series completely unpredictable, renowned Russian referee and TV commentator Leonid Vaisfeld told RIA Novosti on Monday.
Belov is suspended after testing positive for a banned stimulant, the Russian anti-doping agency confirmed Monday.
Russian Deputy Sports Minister Yury Nagornykh told RIA Novosti on Sunday that Belov, 25, had been suspended after failing a drug test after the fourth match of the Gagarin Cup series against Dynamo Moscow in Omsk on Thursday.
He was not on the roster when Avangard lost the fifth game 3-2 Saturday, missing the chance to lift the cup for the first time.
Belov’s absence could help or hinder Avangard, Vaisfeld said.
“It could have an effect, but no one knows how. Maybe they’ve gotten angry, they’ve mobilized and will be more motivated, or it could be the complete opposite. Psychology’s a mysterious thing.”
Belov’s likely replacement Yury Alexandrov is more than capable of filling the gap left by the banned player, Vaisfeld said.
“Belov’s playing very well at the moment. But, on the other hand, Alexandrov’s been sitting on the bench the whole playoffs. He’s a very strong player. I think he can completely replace Belov.”
Belov’s teammates were told of his positive doping test before the fifth game on Saturday, when he was not included in the squad and Avangard lost 3-2 missed the chance to lift the Gagarin Cup, Avangard player Martin Skoula told RIA Novosti on Sunday.
“It was before the game, they let us know that he is not in the lineup,” Skoula said. Asked whether the team was told it was because of a failed test, Skoula said "Yes."
No players were tested for doping offences after Saturday’s game, Dynamo president Mikhail Tyurkin told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
"It's not just a regular incident, it's an outrageous situation that must be controlled. Instead of that, after the fifth match in Omsk, not one doping test was taken from either team. In my opinion it's just not logical," Tyurkin said.
Avangard leads the series 3-2 ahead of the next game in Moscow on Monday.
Belov has played regularly for Avangard since the KHL was formed in 2008, with 45 points in 212 games
