Traktor Chelyabinsk mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat Ak Bars Kazan 3-2 on February 28, 2025, at their home rink, solidifying their top spot in the Eastern Conference of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Initially, Ak Bars took control of the game, leading 2-0 with goals from Ilya Safonov at 27:58 and Stepan Falkovskiy at 30:52. The momentum shifted dramatically when Traktor's Nikita Korosteleva scored his first goal of the night at 34:34, cutting the deficit to one goal.
Korosteleva then scored again at 39:47 to even the score at 2-2, thrilling the home crowd. Finally, Alexander Kadeikin sealed the victory for Traktor with the winning goal at 55:45, clinching a hard-fought win.
This defeat marked Ak Bars' second consecutive loss after recently falling to Automobilist Yekaterinburg 1-2. Anvar Gatiyatulin, head coach of Ak Bars, expressed concern over the team’s offensive struggles, saying, "We need to rethink our strategies as we continue to struggle with offensive effectiveness." Currently, Ak Bars sits fourth with 76 points, trailing Traktor, which leads with 84 points.
The victory also highlights Traktor's recent form, as they continue to lead the Western Conference and solidify their chances of playoff success.
Traktor’s record this season has seen them score 188 goals, showcasing their attacking prowess. The team now looks to build on this victory as they prepare for their next match against Siberia Novosibirsk on March 2.
Earlier this season, the two teams faced each other twice, with Traktor winning one game at home 3-1, and Ak Bars getting revenge with a decisive 4-0 win at their home rink. The KHL playoffs are heating up, and this match was pivotal for both teams as they jockey for favorable positioning.
With investments and strategies changing within the KHL, both teams now face intense scrutiny as they adjust to the rigor of the season. The pressure will remain on Ak Bars to improve as they look to maintain their contention for the championship.
Traktor’s win reflects their successful season, propelled by key contributors like Korosteleva, who is demonstrating why he’s becoming one of the league's standout players.
Looking forward, both teams have tough schedules lined up as the playoffs approach, and each game will be critically important. For Traktor, maintaining momentum is key, and for Ak Bars, finding solutions quickly will determine their prospects moving forward.