CSKA Moscow opened the Western Conference semifinals with a decisive 2-0 victory against Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in Moscow, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The win highlighted CSKA’s disciplined defense and effective counterattacks, setting the tone for a tightly contested matchup between two historic clubs in the Continental Hockey League (KHL).
In a game that stayed compact for most of its duration, CSKA found the breakthrough in the third period. Yaroslav Dyblenko got the opener, hammering home a shot that beat the Lokomotiv goaltender and forced the guests to chase the game. Moments later Pavel Karnaukhov extended the lead, converting on a power play and giving CSKA a cushion that Lokomotiv could not overcome as the clock wound down.
The third-period goals underscored CSKA’s readiness to seize opportunities when they presented themselves and to clamp down on the road to victory. The defensive unit held firm as Lokomotiv pushed for an equalizer, but the Red-Blues held steady, ensuring the outcome stayed in CSKA’s favor and marking the beginning of a potentially pivotal series in the race for the conference crown.
With this result, CSKA takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The second game between the Red-Blues and the Railwaymen is scheduled to take place in Moscow on March 19, a date certain to be circled by fans of both clubs as they anticipate a continuation of the high-stakes Western Conference showdown.
In the other Western Conference semifinal, the opening game saw SKA St. Petersburg take the victory in an overtime thriller that ended 2-1 against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. The match offered a glimpse of the depth and resilience characteristic of SKA, who leveraged late-game intensity to secure the win in extra time and set the tone for a competitive playoff series.
Turning to the Eastern Conference, Ak Bars Kazan edged Admiral Vladivostok in a tight contest, finishing 3-2 after a late push, while Metallurg Magnitogorsk fell to Avangard Omsk in a 1-2 overtime result. These outcomes positioned the Eastern Conference on a knife edge, with both sides showing the quality that has defined recent KHL seasons and signaling further dramatic results to come as the postseason unfolds.
In organizational news that may influence the league’s future lineups and strategic approaches, the head coach of the Siberia club Andrey Martemyanov announced he will depart from his post. The team in Novosibirsk will see Sergey Krivokrasov, who has been serving as Martemyanov’s assistant, step in as head coach for the next chapter. This transition is expected to shape Siberia’s approach in forthcoming games and could impact their performance in the remainder of the season. Coaches and players alike will be watching closely as Krivokrasov introduces his leadership and strategies, seeking to maintain competitiveness in a demanding schedule and to build momentum for the playoffs. KHL communications and club announcements.