In a thrilling showdown at the UGMK-Arena in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist edged out Ak Bars with a nail-biting score of 4-3 in the second match of their first-round playoff series in the Fonbet KHL. This match, held on March 28, 2025, saw the home team rally after losing the first game of the series, leveling the series at 1-1.
The game kicked off with Avtomobilist making an impressive start, scoring two quick goals in the first period. Alexander Sharov opened the scoring at 11:01, followed closely by Nick Merkley, who found the net just before the end of the first period at 19:29, marking it as a power-play goal. The momentum continued into the second period, where Brooks Macek extended their lead to 3-0 at 23:12.
However, Ak Bars wasn’t about to go down without a fight. They responded with a goal from Stepan Falkovsky at 29:09, bringing the score to 3-1. The intensity of the match ramped up as both teams battled fiercely for control. Avtomobilist’s Alexei Byvaltsev scored early in the third period at 45:35, seemingly putting the game out of reach at 4-1.
But Ak Bars proved their resilience once again. Kirill Semenov scored at 43:39, followed by Dmitry Yaskin, who netted another goal at 46:29, reducing the deficit to just one goal. With the score at 4-3, the tension in the arena was palpable as Ak Bars pushed hard for an equalizer, but Avtomobilist's defense held firm to secure the victory.
Post-match, Avtomobilist’s coach expressed pride in his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of bouncing back after their initial defeat. "We showed character today, and it was crucial to get this win at home," he stated. Meanwhile, Ak Bars' coach acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in the defensive zone, as they prepare for the next game.
The series now stands at 1-1, with both teams eyeing the decisive edge as they head into the next match. The third game is set to take place in Kazan on March 30, 2025, where both teams will be looking to gain a critical advantage in this best-of-seven series.
As the playoffs progress, Avtomobilist, who finished fourth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, will aim to leverage their home-ice advantage while Ak Bars, who finished fifth, will seek to regain their momentum from the first game. This series is proving to be a classic playoff battle, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.
Fans can catch all the action live on Match TV and through various online platforms, ensuring they don't miss a moment of this exciting playoff series.
