In a thrilling showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Traktor Chelyabinsk secured their spot in the Gagarin Cup final for the second time in franchise history after defeating Dynamo Moscow 4-3 in the decisive fifth match of the semi-final series. This victory, achieved on May 6, 2025, concluded the series with a commanding 4-1 score, sending the black-and-white team into the championship round.
The atmosphere in Chelyabinsk was electric as fans filled the arena, having bought out all tickets within just 48 minutes of their release. They came in droves, eager to witness their team potentially clinch a place in the finals. Traktor’s previous appearance in the Gagarin Cup final was back in the 2012/2014 season, where they fell to the very same Dynamo Moscow team they faced again in this year’s semi-finals.
However, the beginning of the match was far from ideal for Traktor. The home team struggled in the first period, failing to create any significant scoring opportunities. Dynamo Moscow took advantage of this sluggish start, with Maxim Dzhioishvili scoring the opening goal at the 13:30 mark, assisted by Igor Ozhiganov and Artem Ilyenko. The first period ended with Dynamo leading 1-0, leaving Traktor in a precarious position.
But the tides turned dramatically in the second period. Traktor came out with renewed energy and determination, leveling the score just 11 minutes into the period. Vasily Glotov capitalized on a chaotic play in front of the net, scoring at the 24:08 mark. This goal ignited the home crowd and shifted momentum in favor of the Chelyabinsk team.
Just five minutes later, Traktor took the lead. Maxim Shabanov, who would later become the hero of the night, scored a brilliant goal at 29:25, with an assist from Arseny Koromyslov. Nikita Korostelev then added another goal for Traktor at 33:12, extending their lead to 3-1. The black-and-white team had completely turned the game around, scoring three unanswered goals in a span of just over eight minutes.
As the game progressed into the third period, Dynamo Moscow, showing their resilience, managed to cut the deficit. Brennan Menell scored for the visitors at 40:20, bringing the score to 3-2. The pressure mounted as Dynamo sought to equalize, and they succeeded when Artem Shvets-Rogovoi found the back of the net at 55:20, making it 3-3. The tension in the arena was palpable as fans braced for the possibility of overtime.
However, it was not meant to be for Dynamo. In a dramatic finish, Maxim Shabanov struck again, scoring the decisive goal with just 1:28 left on the clock. He executed a perfect wrist shot into the far corner of the net, sealing the victory for Traktor at 58:32 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“We knew we had to come out strong in the second period,” Shabanov said after the match. “The fans were incredible, and we wanted to give them a reason to celebrate. Scoring that last goal was a dream come true.”
With this victory, Traktor Chelyabinsk not only advances to the Gagarin Cup final but also has a chance to make history by winning the championship for the first time. Their opponent will be Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, who finished the regular season as the top team in the league and will have home-ice advantage in the finals.
The final series is set to start on May 13, 2025, in Yaroslavl, with additional games scheduled for May 15, May 17, and May 19. Should the series require it, games will continue on May 21, May 23, and May 25. Traktor will be looking to avenge their previous playoff defeat to Lokomotiv, who swept them 4-0 in the semi-finals last season.
As both teams prepare for the finals, the excitement is building. Traktor fans are hopeful that this time, their team can secure the elusive Gagarin Cup. With a passionate fanbase behind them and a roster filled with determination, the Chelyabinsk team is ready to seize their moment on the ice.
