On March 22, 2025, Traktor Chelyabinsk faced Amur Khabarovsk in the final match of the KHL regular season, securing a convincing 2:0 victory on home ice. The black-and-white team clinched first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a stellar performance under head coach Benua Gru.
The decisive match, held at the Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk, saw a crowd of 7,500 spectators witnessing Traktor end their regular season with a flair. They started strong, with Vasily Glotov finding the back of the net just 4:51 into the first period, assisted by Alexander Rykov and Ilya Nikolaev. This early goal set the tone for the game, putting the hosts ahead 1:0.
Despite opportunities for further scoring in the first period, including a power play that went unutilized, Traktor maintained pressure as the game progressed. The second period saw a quieter pace, but Traktor managed to extend their lead to 2:0, with Alexander Kadeikin scoring at 38:13, assisted by Artem Udot. The third period was marked by solid defensive plays from both sides, with Traktor's goalie Sergey Mylnikov delivering a clean sheet, making 25 saves throughout the match.
Traktor's victory was significant, not just for the scoreline but also as a culmination of their impressive season. Under the leadership of their new coach, Benua Gru, Traktor finished the regular season with 96 points, well ahead of other teams, while Amur lagged behind in 11th place with just 35 points. This matchup came on the heels of their previous encounters this season, where Traktor asserted dominance by winning both games in Khabarovsk, but Amur had claimed victory in their last match in Chelyabinsk, making this game crucial for playoff positioning.
With the playoffs approaching, Traktor's strategy involved resting key players like Maxim Shabanov, Vitaly Kravtsov, and Grigory Dronov, allowing younger players and those from their farm team, Chelmet, to showcase their talents. Benua Gru emphasized the team's long-term vision, stating, “We wanted to look at the guys from the Traktor system in action.” This approach not only provided an opportunity for reservists like Gleb Ivanov, Alexey Rykmanov, Sergey Drugalya, Kirill Kadysh, and Dominik Mikanovich but also prepared Chelmet players for future challenges.
The statistics from the match reflected Traktor's aggressive offense with a remarkable 73 shots on goal compared to Amur's 45. Though many attempts by Traktor did not convert, their control and strategy proved successful in securing the win. Benua Gru, reflecting on the game, noted, “If the dealer decides we're playing against Admiral then we'll be playing against Admiral. If it’s going to be Sibir, then we will fly to Novosibirsk.” This remark underlined the uncertainties of playoff matchups and the excitement surrounding the upcoming elimination rounds.
Traktor is set to begin their playoff campaign on March 27, 2025, at home, with their opponent still to be determined following the conclusion of other matches. Fans are eager for the next chapter in the Gagarin Cup playoffs, as Traktor aims to build on their solid regular-season performance.
Tickets for the upcoming games will be available for sale starting Monday, creating excitement among the fanbase. Supporting their team, the local community is buzzing with anticipation as Traktor prepares for what they hope will be a successful playoff run.
