In a thrilling playoff showdown on April 2, 2025, the Chelyabinsk Traktor overcame a rocky start to defeat the Vladivostok Admiral 7-3 in the fourth match of their KHL playoff series. The victory not only showcased Traktor's resilience but also leveled the series at two games apiece, setting the stage for an exciting fifth match in Chelyabinsk on April 4.
The game kicked off at Fetisov Arena with a packed crowd of 5,680 fans, all eager to witness a crucial clash in the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Admiral stormed out of the gates, capitalizing on early mistakes by Traktor, who struggled to find their rhythm. Libor Shulak opened the scoring for Admiral at 7:42, firing a shot from the blue line that found its way past Traktor's goalie Zak Fucale, with Arkady Shestakov providing the assist. This marked a significant milestone for Shestakov, as he recorded his 100th point in the KHL.
Just minutes later, at 11:39, Shestakov himself doubled Admiral's lead, making it 2-0 with a well-placed shot after a scramble in front of the net. However, Traktor quickly responded. Grigory Dronov scored a crucial power play goal at 12:54, narrowing the gap to 2-1 and igniting hope for the visitors.
Admiral maintained their composure and restored a two-goal advantage when Ivan Muranov scored at 15:25, bringing the score to 3-1. Yet, Traktor's momentum began to shift as they entered the second period.
Maxim Shabanov, who would later be named the star of the match, spearheaded Traktor's comeback. He scored the first of his two goals at 20:36, capitalizing on a 4-on-4 situation to make it 3-2. This goal was a turning point, as it energized Traktor and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.
Traktor continued to press, and Charles Robinson scored at 27:00 to tie the game at 3-3. The visitors were relentless, and Artem Blazhievsky's goal at 34:25 gave Traktor their first lead of the game at 4-3. Just before the end of the second period, Andrey Svetlakov added another goal for Traktor, extending their lead to 5-3 and leaving Admiral reeling.
As the third period commenced, Admiral made a bold move by switching goalies, bringing in Ilya Konovalov. However, Traktor wasted no time in exploiting this change, with Shabanov scoring again just 37 seconds into the period, pushing the score to 6-3. The final nail in Admiral's coffin came when Vladimir Tkachev scored an empty-net goal at 59:06, sealing the 7-3 victory for Traktor.
Traktor's head coach, Benua Grou, praised his team's ability to bounce back after a tough first period. "This was an important win for us; we leveled the series, and now we have to prepare for the next game," he stated. Grou emphasized the need for his players to maintain their composure and focus as they head into the critical fifth match.
On the other hand, Admiral's coach Leonid Tambiev expressed disappointment over his team's inability to maintain their early lead. "We had a good first period, but we couldn't sustain that level of play. Too many penalties and mistakes cost us the game," he reflected. Tambiev noted that his team must regroup quickly, as the playoffs demand resilience and adaptability.
In terms of statistics, Traktor outshot Admiral 67 to 61, showcasing their offensive prowess, particularly in the second and third periods. Shabanov's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he recorded an impressive five points (2 goals and 3 assists) during the game. His contributions were pivotal in turning the tide for Traktor, as they overcame a 1-3 deficit to secure a commanding victory.
As the series now stands at 2-2, the upcoming fifth match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand and move closer to advancing in the playoffs. Fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere in Chelyabinsk as the two rivals clash once more in their quest for the Gagarin Cup.
The stage is set for what could be a decisive moment in this playoff series. Will Admiral reclaim their momentum, or will Traktor continue their resurgence? Only time will tell as the teams prepare for battle once again.
