In an exhilarating display of resilience and determination, Chelyabinsk Tractor pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat Admiral Vladivostok 5-4 in overtime during their latest playoff encounter on April 5, 2025. The match marked the fifth in a thrilling series, with Tractor now leading 3-2.
Before the game, Tractor's head coach, Benua Grou, opted for consistency, keeping the lineup unchanged. In contrast, Admiral's coach, Leonid Tambiev, made strategic adjustments by benching key players Nikita Soshnikov and Mario Grman, replacing them with Egor Stepanov and Artem Chmykhov. This match was particularly significant for Chmykhov and Admiral forward Dmitry Zavgorodny, as it marked their 200th and 700th games in the KHL, respectively.
The first period began with a bang for Admiral, who quickly took control of the game. Just five minutes in, Zavgorodny was penalized, but this did not deter Admiral from scoring first. Vyacheslav Osnovin, a former Tractor player, intercepted a puck following a mistake from Tractor's Steven Kampfer in the neutral zone, deftly maneuvered past a defender, and found the back of the net. The lead doubled shortly after when a pass from Daniil Gutik deflected off a Tractor defender's skates and into the goal, making it 2-0.
Despite a timeout called by Grou, Tractor struggled to find their footing. The situation worsened when Osnovin scored again in the 16th minute, marking his 100th goal in the KHL and extending the lead to 3-0. Following this, Tractor made a goalie change, substituting Zak Fucale for Sergei Mylnikov in hopes of reversing their fortunes.
As the second period unfolded, Tractor's struggles continued. They failed to capitalize on a double power play opportunity, while Admiral extended their lead to 4-0 when Pavel Shen scored, assisted by Stepan Starkov. At this point, many fans and analysts were skeptical about Tractor's ability to turn the game around, especially given their lack of offensive pressure, with only five shots on goal recorded before the start of the third period.
However, the tide began to shift dramatically in the closing period. The comeback started with Grigory Dronov's powerful shot from the blue line, which found the net, cutting the deficit to 4-1. Just 35 seconds later, Andrei Svetlakov scored with an unexpected shot, narrowing the gap further to 4-2. Tambiev called for a timeout, but the momentum was firmly with Tractor.
Following a double penalty assessed to Libor Sulak, Maxim Shabanov scored with a long-range shot, bringing the score to 4-3. With just three minutes left in regulation, Tractor pulled their goalie for an extra skater, and Kampfer managed to equalize at 4-4 with a goal just 71 seconds before the end of the match. This remarkable turnaround left the fans in disbelief and set the stage for an intense overtime.
In the overtime period, it took just a minute and a half for Tractor to seal the victory. Semen Der-Arguchintsev scored the decisive goal, assisted by Kampfer, completing the stunning comeback from a 0-4 deficit. This victory not only highlighted Tractor's resilience but also marked their fifth win of the season in overtime.
Post-match, Coach Grou expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "Without a doubt, this is a very important victory. But the opponent will not give up just like that. We will be ready for the next match." The standout players included Dronov, who contributed a goal and an assist, while Der-Arguchintsev was pivotal with the winning goal and an assist. For Admiral, Osnovin was the star with two goals.
Looking ahead, the series continues with the sixth match scheduled for April 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time in Vladivostok. Admiral, now facing the pressure of elimination, will strive to bounce back and force a decisive seventh game. The stakes are high, and both teams are expected to deliver an intense and action-packed performance.
As the series progresses, the psychological aspects of the game come into play. Admiral's recent collapse from a commanding lead has raised concerns about their mental fortitude. Coach Tambiev acknowledged the need for discipline, stating, "Removals… We can't get through to the guys, to convey that the price of removal is very high. The playoffs are such a competition where you need to be ready for any extreme situations. We missed one goal, started getting removed, and the whole team started panicking."
In contrast, Tractor's experience and ability to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes have been crucial in their recent success. Their comeback from a seemingly insurmountable deficit showcases their character and readiness to compete at the highest level. The upcoming match is poised to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to assert their dominance and secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
As the anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Admiral responds on home ice, and whether Tractor can maintain their momentum and close out the series. The battle for the Gagarin Cup continues, with every game promising excitement and drama.
