CSKA Moscow celebrated another successful outing on December 22, 2023, defeating Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk with an impressive score of 7-4 during their KHL regular season match at CSKA Arena. This victory marked CSKA's eighth consecutive win, fortifying their position as contenders in the league.
The match began with Neftekhimik drawing first blood. Just eight minutes in, Riley Barber capitalized on a defensive blunder by CSKA, intercepting the puck and scoring with precision from the angle to put his team up 1-0. The visitors seemed poised to upset the home team, conveying signs of hopes for their playoff aspirations.
Yet, CSKA quickly responded. Maxim Sorkin strategically scored through a well-coordinated power play, leveling the score at 1-1 within the first period. CSKA didn’t stop there; before the period’s end, Maxim Mamin seized the advantage, scoring with just moments remaining, and finishing the first period 2-1 in favor of the home team.
During the second period, Vitaliy Abramov extended CSKA's lead, showcasing his offensive prowess and scoring another just minutes later, prompting the score to 3-1. Neftekhimik, demonstrating resilience, countered with Jean-Sébastien D, who managed to chip away at the deficit, making it 3-2.
The exchange of goals continued as CSKA increased their lead once more, with Nikita Okhotyuk and Abramov both scoring before the second period concluded, which culminated with CSKA leading 5-2 at the end of two.
After the intermission, the momentum continued to favor CSKA when Denis Guryanov scored the sixth goal, propelling the Arctic Club to what seemed like an unassailable lead 6-2. But Neftekhimik wouldn't just roll over; they fought back valiantly, with goals from Yevgeny Mityakin and Andrey Belozyorov narrowing the gap to 6-4.
Despite the late rally by Neftekhimik, CSKA managed to seal their win with yet another goal from Guryanov, who finished the scoring with empty netter for the 7-4 conclusion.
Post-match, the highlight was evidently on the stellar performance by CSKA’s Vitaliy Abramov, who not only scored twice but added two assists to finish with four points, playing remarkable hockey.
Ilya Vorobyov, head coach of CSKA Moscow, shared his thoughts, saying, "For coaches, it's good to see so many goals scored, but not so good to see many conceded," emphasizing the mixed feelings about the game’s flow. Conversely, Oleg Leontiev, head coach of Neftekhimik, acknowledged his team's effort and lamented the defensive lapses, stating, "We fought until the end but unfortunately conceded too many goals."
This match not only put CSKA at the third place in the Western Conference with 51 points from 36 games but also represented historical significance for Vyacheslav Leshchenko, who played his 500th game for Neftekhimik. Meanwhile, Neftekhimik stays at eighth position of the Eastern Conference with 36 points, battling to remain within playoff contention.
The hard-fought game, scored through brilliant plays and strategic opportunities, invigorated hockey fans, showcasing the spirited competition within the KHL. CSKA Moscow continues to mount pressure as they aim for championship glory, riding on the momentum of their latest victory.
