The Anton Belov doping case was a big factor in Avangard Omsk's dramatic Gagarin Cup final defeat to Dynamo Moscow, Avangard forward Alexander Perezhogin told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
Avangard was one game from victory in the best-of-seven series when defenseman Belov tested positive for a banned stimulant and was withdrawn.
Dynamo won the next three straight to steal the title 4-3 in dramatic fashion.
"This story with Belov significantly influenced the result," said Perezhogin, who scored four goals in the first four games - three of them game-winners. "Especially taking into consideration we didn't have many defenders."
Belov, a regular pick for the national team, is unavailable for Russia's quest to win its first world championships since 2009 starting Friday in Sweden.
Perezhogin hopes his teammate will be allowed to play for Avangard next season, he added.
