I like T1-T3 soviets.
But I think thats the wrong doctrine to do it with.
You have T-70 to hard counter early vehicles, and T34 to ram tanks. So you dont need guards.
Instead you can go Shock Motor Heavy, which gives you Shocks (making up for losing Ppsh+ Hit the Dirt for cons).
It also crutially gives you con repair which is totally bad ass with 4 cons and ramming T34s. The cons can repair on-mass, and instantly become a fighting force at the drop of a hat to see off invading inf or AT nade flanking tanks.
In your game Von's crippled T34s cost him the most. Engies dont cut it. Cons would have had them back applying pressure before more P4s arrived.
Shock Motor heavy also provides IL-2 drop, which is perfect for rammed tanks if you cant take them out. It also has ISU-152 which can be a backup incase your opponent heavily digs in, would just take a while to save for.
Armoured Vehicle detection, while not always useful, at least works with cons and shocks and can sometimes help track down an injured tank that has limped off to repair.
Here is a game using Vons strat, but with this doctrine, obviously not as high play. Opponent made really weird tecking desicions, and I could have done with only building 1 T-70, not 2, but it shows the concept well:
http://www.coh2.org/replays/8691/fast-t3