In a dramatic 1/8 final of the Gagarin Cup, Chelyabinsk’s Traktor outlasted Salavat Yulaev with a 4-2 victory, pushing the series deeper into the playoff battle. The game unfolded as a tense contest, with both sides trading momentum and salaries—no, not salaries, but blows to the scoreboard—before Traktor carved out a decisive lead late in the third period. According to official game logs, the scoreboard told a story of resilience and strategic shifts that mattered as the clock wound down.
Early in the game, the Ufa squad surged ahead, taking a 2-0 advantage by the 17th minute on goals from Ivan Drozdov and Yegor Suchkov. This fast start put pressure on the home team and set the tone for what would become a gripping playoff duel. The first period ended with Salavat Yulaev in control, yet the narrative was far from settled, as Traktor began to respond with steadier play and a sharpening of their forecheck.
At the start of the second period, the home side chipped away at the deficit, pulling one goal back with Charles Robinson finding the back of the net. The goal energized Traktor and, as the middle frame unfolded, the momentum started to swing more clearly in favor of the visitors. The teams traded chances and saves, each sequence building toward a dramatic late-60-minute finish.
Into the third period, Traktor elevated their intensity and struck three times to flip the script. Vitaly Kravtsov rallied his club with a crucial equalizer in the 42nd minute, snapping the game open and shifting the pressure squarely onto Salavat Yulaev. With the clock ticking under three minutes remaining, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev delivered the game-changing tally, giving Traktor a lead they would not relinquish. In the closing minute, Charles Robinson added a late insurance strike into an empty net, sealing the win and the series advantage for Chelyabinsk.
The result left the series tally at 4-2 in favor of Traktor, moving the Chelyabinsk squad into the quarterfinals of the Gagarin Cup. This marked a significant milestone for the club, as they joined a cadre of teams that had already reached the same round earlier in the postseason. Previously, Avangard of Omsk, Spartak, Lokomotiv, SKA, and Avtomobilist had advanced to the last eight.
As the season progresses, CSKA Moscow stands as the reigning Gagarin Cup champion, having secured the title in the previous campaign while overcoming Ak Bars Kazan in the finals. Both teams faced early exits in this season’s playoff rounds, underscoring the volatility and competitiveness that defines the league. The playoff landscape this year continues to evolve, with several expected contenders pushed toward the edge of elimination as teams jockey for position.
Among the notable early-round matchups, many observers pointed to standout duels that captured attention for their intensity and strategic depth. These early rounds showcased the high level of competition and the depth of talent across the league, highlighting why the Gagarin Cup remains one of the most exciting trophies in hockey. [Source: Gagarin Cup official records]