The KHL match between Amur Khabarovsk and Barys Astana on March 15, 2025, at the Platinum Arena, was pivotal for both teams. Amur, coming off four straight losses, was desperate for a victory, and Barys was similarly struggling, having been near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Hoping to bounce back, Amur managed to break their losing streak with a confident 5-2 victory. This was not only their first win against Barys this season but marked Amur's fourth win over them, showing their dominance this year. The match showcased strong performances, especially from Amur's forward Oleg Li, who netted three goals, contributing significantly to the team's much-needed win.
Starting strong, Amur led the first period with a commanding 3-0 score. Goals by Oleg Li (scoring first just 50 seconds after the game began), Vladislav Barulin, and Evgeny Grachev set the tone for the match. The intensity was palpable, and even after establishing their lead, Amur's players did not pull back. With clear strategies laid out from their training sessions, it appeared they were executing perfectly on home ice.
The second period brought another goal from Li, extending the lead to 4-0 before Barys struck back with a goal by Roman Starchenko, making the score 4-1 at the break. The back and forth continued as Barys started to find their rhythm, but they were unable to fully capitalize on their opportunities, often struggling against Amur's solid defense.
At the start of the final period, Barys managed to score again, with Dinmukhamed Kairzhan finding the net, bringing the score to 4-2. Though they gained momentum, the pressure remained on Barys as they sought to mount a comeback. Amur would not let up, eventually sealing their victory with another goal from Li, capping off the score at 5-2 with less than two minutes remaining.
With this win, Amur improved their record to 40 points, allowing them to edge above Barys, who remained stuck at 35 points at the bottom of the table. Notably, this was Barys's ninth loss out of their last thirteen away games, making their season one to forget. The struggle to find offensive success has been evident, with Barys exhibiting one of the league's lowest scoring rates.
Following the game, quotes from both teams’ coaches reflected on the performance. Galym Mambetaliev, the head coach of Barys, expressed disappointment, admitting, "We came out unprepared, boiled. Then we started to break through and create moments... We need to score, take advantage of moments. We only scored two goals; it could have been different if we could have converted more. The fifth goal was demoralizing for us." His frustration signaled the dire straits his team found themselves, hoping for improvement as they finish the season.
Meanwhile, Viktor Kostyuchenok, interim head coach of Amur, commented positively on their performance: "A good first period, especially the first ten minutes. Good, beautiful goals. What we trained for worked. Although we became slightly relaxed afterward, we managed to regroup and score at the end, which was needed to calm things down. One downside this season remains, we did not meet our playoff objectives. But I believe the young players have shown promise, gaining valuable experience."
Moving forward, both teams have important matches upcoming. Amur will face Lada in Tolyatti on March 18, seeking to build on this momentum heading away from home. Barys, on the other hand, will play Sibir the day before, hoping to redeem themselves before the season concludes.
The atmosphere at the Platinum Arena was electric with fans celebrating Amur's victory, showcasing their support even amid past struggles. The match reflected the highs and lows of KHL hockey, with Amur's resurgence offering hope for their future games.
For those interested in KHL action, highlights and post-match analyses can be found on various sports networks as the season approaches its final stretch. It remains to be seen whether Amur can carry this momentum forward or if Barys can pivot away from their recent misfortunes.