CSKA Moscow has broken its losing streak with a strong 4-2 victory over Salavat Yulaev, marking their first win after three consecutive losses. The match was held on February 23 at Ufa's Ufa Arena, as both teams aimed to improve their standings in the KHL regular season.
The excitement began as the teams skirmished through the first period without any goals. It was not until the second period when CSKA surged forward, scoring two times within just over a minute. Kirill Dozhenkov opened the scoring at 24:20, assisted by Cole Kassels and Vladislav Provolnev. Moments later, Nikita Nesterov made it 2-0 for CSKA, finding the net at 25:33, with support from Denis Guryanov and Kassels again.
Despite falling behind, Salavat Yulaev responded determinedly. Denis Yan brought them back within one at 30:45, scoring on the power play, benefiting from assists from Mikhail Naumenkov and Nathan Todd. Just 73 seconds later, Sheldon Rempal equalized for Salavat, capitalizing on another power play, latching onto feeds from Sasha Khmelevsky and Scott Wilson.
But CSKA was not to be outdone. Maxim Sorkin reclaimed the lead for the visitors at 37:03, with assists from Prokhor Poltapov and Nikita Sedom. And as the final period unfolded, Pavel Karnaukhov sealed the deal for CSKA, scoring at 55:00 to stretch the lead to 4-2, ensuring their victory.
This match marked the second encounter between these two teams this season. CSKA won their previous face-off as well, securing victory with a close 5-4 score. With this latest performance, CSKA now sits fifth in the Western Conference standings, accumulating 72 points. Meanwhile, Salavat Yulaev, who fell to their third straight defeat, remains third in the Eastern Conference, holding 75 points but facing potential challenges moving forward.
The match witnessed significant action, with CSKA managing 63 shots on goal compared to Salavat's 52. This offensive strategy, alongside their solid defensive efforts, played pivotal roles throughout the game. Notably, Alexander Samonov, Salavat's goaltender, faced numerous attempts yet held off many shots effectively.
What’s remarkable is how both teams approached this game coming off losing streaks — CSKA struggling through their last three outings, and Salavat having dropped the last two. The pressure was palpable, yet CSKA's resilience proved decisive on the day.
Fans at the Ufa Arena, totaling 8,506, witnessed the ups and downs of play as both teams vied for dominance on the ice. CSKA's victory not only improved their morale but also strengthened their position within the tightly contested league as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
The aftermath of this match may serve as motivation for Salavat Yulaev. Despite the loss, they have already secured their place in the playoffs this year, providing hope as they regroup before returning to the ice.