St. Petersburg Keeper Sets Incredible Saves Record in VHL Showdown
In a historic moment for the All-Russian Hockey League (VHL), SKA-Neva St. Petersburg netminder Artemy Pleshkov forged a new world record for the most saves in a single game. This stunning achievement was reported by league Telegram channels and quickly became a talking point across hockey communities in North America and Europe alike.
The defining clash occurred on March 16 when Tula AKM visited SKA-Neva, finishing with a 1-0 score in favor of the visiting team during the fourth game of the Petrov Cup quarter-final series. Despite the tight result, the series concluded with SKA-Neva claiming victory in the series four games to none, earning a place in the next round of the playoff bracket.
Pleshkov’s performance shattered previous benchmarks, with the game lasting an astonishing 158 minutes and 11 seconds. He faced 124 shots over the course of the marathon contest, turning away an unprecedented number of attempts and keeping his team competitive deep into overtime. Until this moment, the record for most saves in a single game in professional hockey was held by Finnish goaltender Karri Ramo, who stopped 83 shots in a Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) match. Pleshkov’s achievement redefines endurance and precision at the position, highlighting the evolving nature of goaltending at high-stakes playoff games.
Beyond this landmark, there were other notable stories in the broader hockey landscape. In the National Hockey League (NHL), Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning emerged as a leading contender for the Hart Trophy, the league’s most prestigious individual award for the player judged to have contributed the most to his team during the regular season. His performance continued to draw attention as the season progressed, with analysts weighing his impact against other top contenders.
As the season nears its end, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon remained a principal factor in the race for team success, with his contributions considered central by observers tracking the league’s pennant chase. The conversations around the trophy picture reflected the broader trend of players elevating their play in the late stages of campaigns, often shaping team fortunes in meaningful ways.
Meanwhile, reflections from former players continued to echo through playoff narratives, including insights into rituals and routines that players rely on to maintain focus and consistency under pressure. These personal practices, shared in media interviews and post-season discussions, offered fans a window into the mental side of the game and the routines that accompany peak performance during the most important stretches of the year.