Pleshkov stars as SKA earn thrilling OT triumph in Yaroslavl!

7 October 2024

Artemiy Pleshkov produced a performance for the ages in Yaroslavl, making 45 superb saves and even dishing out an assist as SKA defeated Lokomotiv 4:3 in overtime away in the 2024/2025 KHL regular season.

With SKA running into more penalty trouble towards the conclusion of the third period, Pleshkov practically single-handedly kept Lokomotiv at bay, pulling off a series of incredible saves when under severe pressure.

SKA had initially drawn first blood in the ninth minute through Zakhar Bardakov's impressive individual effort. However, Maxim Beryozkin then took a leading role for Lokomotiv, grabbing the equaliser from point-blank range before setting up Maxim Shalunov with a sumptuous pass in just the 14th second of the second stanza.

After Pleshkov had kept SKA in the game with numerous fantastic stops, Sergei Plotnikov turned the match on its head, thumping a slap shot beyond home goaltender Daniil Isayev and whipping the puck into the left corner from the doorstep while competing on the PP.

Lokomotiv eventually managed to force overtime after a lengthy spell of pressure. During a 5-on-3 powerplay, Artur Kayumov found a way past Pleshkov, hitting the jackpot with our goalkeeper's view blocked.

Nevertheless, 21-year-old Pleshkov would have the last laugh, somehow keeping Yaroslavl at bay throughout the remainder of the third frame before Alexander Nikishin ended the game in SKA's favour with an unstoppable wrister in overtime.

SKA will now prepare to host Dinamo Minsk at the Saint Petersburg Ice Palace on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

Lokomotiv - SKA - 3:4 OT (1:1, 1:2, 1:0, 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Bardakov (Zaitsev, Pleshkov), 08.12

1:1 Beryozkin (Sergeev, Cherepanov), 15.31

2:1 Shalunov (Beryozkin, Bereglazov), 20.14

2:2 Plotnikov (Bardakov), 30.37

2:3 Plotnikov (DeAngelo, Alistrov), 35.35 PPG

3:3 Kayumov (Sergeev, Shalunov), 52.32 PPG

3:4 Nikishin (Grigorenko), 61.47

Goalkeepers: Isayev - Pleshkov