Caps goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov celebrated his 20th birthday Wednesday by helping Metallurg Magnitogorsk be victorious during Game 1 of the Gagarin Cup playoffs. The team beat Beijing-based Kunlun Red Star 4-2, with Samsonov stopping 26 of 28 shots for a .929 save percentage.

Samsonov, whose strong play this season won him a place in the starting lineup for the playoffs, saw reasonably light duty. But that’s not to say the game lacked for action.

With around four minutes left in the first period, Samsonov laid down the law on Kunlun forward Max Warn, giving him a quick jab with the butt-end of his goalie stick.

Samsonov did suffer a small setback with just under ten minutes gone in the third period. The 6’3″ tall prospect jumped to bat down a high shot, but only managed to brush the puck with the tip of his glove. The puck fluttered into the net.

Here is the full game highlights.

Metallurg, who are last year’s champs and who clinched the Eastern Conference this season, are the strong favorite over the newly minted Kunlun Red Star. Game two is on Friday, February 24, 2017.

Image Credit: Metallurg.ru