Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg ended their five-match losing streak by defeating Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 3-1 on December 20, 2023, during the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) regular season.
Hosted at Lokomotiv's home arena, the match marked a significant victory for Avtomobilist, who arrived at the game desperate for points after their recent struggles. Coach Nikolai Zavaruha's team opened the scoring early, with Stepan Khripunov netting the first goal just seven minutes after the puck drop. His shot found its way to the net, bringing much-needed momentum to the visiting squad.
The game developed with Lokomotiv seeking to capitalize on their home advantage, pressuring Avtomobilist's defense throughout the first period. Despite their efforts, only minimal chances turned to significant threats on goal. Avtomobilist's goalkeeper, Vladimir Galkin, kept his net secure, turning aside attempts from key Lokomotiv players like Alexander Radulov and Richard Panic.
Shifts continued to swing, with the second period yielding no goals but plenty of momentum shifts. Lokomotiv battled hard but struggled to translate possession time and pressure on the scoreboard. Instead, Avtomobilist took control, implementing effective counter-attacks and maintaining tight defensive structures.
At the start of the final period, Avtomobilist struck again, extending their lead to 2-0 with Artem Kashtanov finding the net at 43:02. The visitors now sat comfortably, with confidence renewed after their earlier missteps. Meanwhile, Lokomotiv’s chances to close the gap dwindled as Avtomobilist's defense held strong against the barrage of shots from Lokomotiv.
The final minutes saw Lokomotiv finally break through. At 57:19, Alexander Polunin scored, igniting hopes of a comeback. While the fight remained alive, Avtomobilist swiftly responded. Not long after, with 58:34 on the clock, Andrey Obidin sealed the match with an empty-net goal, making it evident who emerged victorious.
Following the game, Zavaruha reflected on the significance of the win, stating, "It’s great we beat such a good opponent. Lokomotiv has a blend of youth and experience. The players executed the game plan effectively and delivered solid counterattacks. We are proud of how we performed, especially on defense."
Despite the loss, Lokomotiv’s Richard Panic commented, "It’s disappointing, and the game did not go as planned. We hope the next matches will be much more successful for us. We have the talent and skill necessary to overcome this setback."
With this victory, Avtomobilist improved their position in the KHL standings, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with 44 points. Lokomotiv continues to hold the top spot with 60 points, keeping their playoff hopes high as the season pushes forward.
The next match will see Avtomobilist face Severstal on December 22, aiming to build on their success against Lokomotiv. Fans are eager to see if Avtomobilist can regain their rhythm and continue the momentum from this important victory.
