St. Petersburg SKA recorded a decisive 5-2 win over Ekaterinburg Avtomobilist in the fourth game of the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals, at the Uralets Arena in Yekaterinburg. The result narrows the series to 3-1 in favor of SKA as the action shifts toward a pivotal stretch.
The visitors surged ahead early, with Vasily Glotov delivering the opening strike to set the tone. Soon after, Alex Galchenyuk extended the cushion, showcasing SKA’s quick-strike capability. Avtomobilist answered through Stefan Da Costa, keeping the game tight, before SKA’s Nikita Kamalov added a third tally for the visitors. Avtomobilist again found a reply with Alexey Makeev’s goal, trimming the deficit once more. The closing tempo belonged to SKA as Marat Khairullin found the net twice in the final period, sealing the five-goal performance for the visitors.
With this result, SKA closed the gap in the series and increased the pressure ahead of the next matchup. The teams are set to meet again on March 25 in Saint Petersburg, with a 19:00 Moscow time drop of the puck. Expectations are high in both cities as fans await another tight contest in a playoff series that has already proven to be a testing ground for resilience and tactical nous.
Earlier playoff action included a separate quarterfinal between Spartak Moscow and Magnitogorsk Metallurg, which was postponed following a tragic event at Crocus City Hall. The pause underscored how real-world events can ripple through the league, affecting schedules and the emotional landscape for players and supporters alike as they regroup for the decisive round of play.
Looking beyond this series, the defending Gagarin Cup champions for the 2022-23 season were CSKA, who captured the title on April 29, 2023, completing their 100th year as a club. CSKA defeated Ak Bars Kazan in seven games to lift the trophy. This season has seen both CSKA and Ak Bars exit earlier than they hoped, underscoring how unpredictable the league can be and how the pursuit of silver continues to evolve with every matchup. The competitive field remains intense as teams chase championships, adjust strategies, and test depth across the roster in a season shaped by grit and continuity.
Historically, the scheduling of playoff games can shift in response to extraordinary circumstances, with league officials prioritizing player safety and fan access. The ongoing playoff push continues to captivate followers across North America, where Canadian and American fans track team performances, player movements, and the evolving standings of the Gagarin Cup postseason. Each game adds to the broader story of the league, highlighting rivalries, breakthrough performances, and strategic adjustments that define this season’s journey—narratives that fans around the world, including North American audiences, are eagerly following.