On March 18, 2025, Chelyabinsk's Traktor hockey team faced off against SKA from St. Petersburg, winning the match with a score of 4:2. This victory marks a significant achievement for Traktor, as it guarantees them first place in the Eastern Conference of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Playing at home, Traktor, under the guidance of coach Benua Grou, showcased their skills by bouncing back after trailing early. The match began with SKA's Pavel Dedunov scoring the first goal just 14 minutes and 53 seconds in, giving St. Petersburg fans hope with the initial lead. Nonetheless, Traktor's Grigory Dronov quickly leveled the score at 21:46, scoring shorthanded and igniting the home crowd.
Vladimir Tkachev followed up with another goal at 32:19, pushing Traktor to lead with 2:1. SKA’s Dmitry Yudin managed to tie the game again at 34:23, capitalizing on the momentum. But Traktor would not be denied; Ostap Safin netted the third goal for his team at 42:43, sealing the lead. The final blow came from Charles Robinson, who scored at 58:35, sealing the match with Traktor’s fourth goal as he shot the puck decisively to the empty net.
"After 67 games, Traktor earned 94 points and became unreachable for pursuers for the top spot in the KHL's Eastern Conference," noted URA.RU. This resulted not only solidifies their standings but also marks their best regular-season performance since the 2011/12 season when the team featured star player Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Conversely, SKA, led by coach Roman Rotenberg, faced disappointment as their four-match winning streak was halted with this loss. With 79 points, they currently occupy the sixth position in the Western Conference. Now, with only one match left for Traktor in the regular season, they are set to face Amur from Khabarovsk on March 22, 2025.
This victory holds great significance for Traktor as they prepare for the upcoming Gagarin Cup playoffs. Entering the playoffs with such momentum is invaluable. They will go up against either Novosibirsk's Sibir or Vladivostok's Admiral, teams contending for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Fans are eager to see how Traktor will perform as they strive for championship glory. Meanwhile, SKA must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Avtomobilist on March 20, 2025, as they look to regain their competitive edge.
The KHL has provided intense matches this season, and this game only adds to the intrigue leading up to the playoffs. With Traktor now firmly positioned at the top of the Eastern Conference, their efforts are being acknowledged by fans and analysts alike. The teams’ hard work and strategy pay off, reminding everyone why hockey remains one of the most exhilarating sports to follow.
