On March 14, 2025, the KHL regular season saw Neftekhimik defeat Lokomotiv 2:1 during a gripping match held at Arena-2000-Yaroslavl. This victory was notable not only for its score but also for the implication it carried in the playoff race and Lokomotiv's aspirations to secure the Continental Cup.
The match unfolded dramatically, with Neftekhimik initially under pressure. Lokomotiv started strong, aiming to clinch the Continental Cup with a convincing win. On the other hand, Neftekhimik was fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, making for an explosive atmosphere right from the puck drop.
Neftekhimik's head coach, Oleg Leontyev, had made significant adjustments to his roster, including the return of Mikhail Pashnin, who had been sidelined since late January. Filipp Dolganov took over the goaltending duties after earning stellar reviews following their previous encounter against Lokomotiv earlier this season, where Neftekhimik had narrowly won 1:0.
About halfway through the second period, Neftekhimik opened the scoring. Defender Mario Patlakh initiated the play, setting up forward Riley Barber, who found himself unmarked before deftly sending the puck past Lokomotiv's goalie, Daniil Isaev. This was Barber's 12th goal of the season, and it sent the visiting fans among the 7,825 attendees at the arena erupting with excitement.
Just two minutes later, Lokomotiv equalized. Forward Alexander Polunin, who was scoring his ninth goal of the season, leveled the game after capitalizing on a rebound following a shot by Ruslan Rafikov from the blue line. This equalizer injected new life and urgency back to the Lokomotiv side, which had been dominant early on.
Neither team managed to score during the third period, even as the tension mounted. Neftekhimik displayed commendable resilience, countering Lokomotiv's attacks effectively. Dolganov was particularly impressive, making key saves, including one extraordinary stop against Byron Freeze, who came face-to-face with him but was thwarted.
With the match entering overtime, pressure was palpable for both sides. Neftekhimik had the first advantage but failed to score. The overtime featured more cautious play, with both teams eyeing the coveted two points.
When it came down to the shootout, the tension ratcheted up even higher. The goalies initially saved the first five attempts, but it was Vladimir Bryukvin who scored the decisive shootout goal for Neftekhimik, sealing the 2-1 victory. Dolganov, who finished the match with 39 saves, proved his worth again, showcasing his capability as he saved six shots during the shootout.
For Lokomotiv, this loss represented their second defeat out of the last three matches, marking a stumble at the most pivotal point of the season as they sought to secure their position at the top of the league. Coach Igor Nikitin expressed disappointment post-game, highlighting the strong performance by Dolganov and lamenting the injury to key player Stepan Nikulin, which had affected their depth and strategy.
Neftekhimik’s perseverance paid off, marking their third consecutive victory and advancing them toward their goal of playoff qualification. After this match, they sit just three points behind Sibir, who holds the eighth and final playoff spot.
Looking forward, Neftekhimik faces Lada on March 16, which is another chance to accumulate points as they strive to maintain their momentum. With every match being pivotal, the stakes could not be higher as the KHL season accelerates toward its conclusion.