Dramatic OT triumph at CSKA!

4 March 2025

SKA achieved a vital victory on Tuesday evening in Moscow, defeating arch-rivals CSKA 3:2 away in overtime!

After Artyom Zemchyonok’s late tripping penalty had successfully been killed, SKA secured a hard-fought victory in the third minute of the extra frame, as Alexander Nikishin whacked home the rebound at close range.

The teams initially organised a breathless start.
Maxim Sorkin initially gobbled up the rebound for CSKA in the seventh minute, but SKA quickly responded on the powerplay with Marat Khairullin firing beyond home goaltender Pavel Khomchenko from the right circle.

The in-form Matvei Korotky then tallied our second PP marker of the evening in the 14th minute when thumping Ivan Demidov’s intelligent pass into the left corner. However, our lead didn’t last for long, with CSKA equalising within two minutes through Prokhor Poltapov’s individual effort.

The subsequent two frames were contested at an intense tempo with both sides carving open plenty of excellent opportunities. Nevertheless, Yegor Zavragin particularly stood out in our net, confidently pulling off solid saves with his calm demeanor.

CSKA looked to be closing in on the win in the dying moments after Zemchyonok had fouled against the onrushing Denis Guryanov. Our players stood tall to the challenge, though, keeping the hosts at arm’s length before Nikishin struck the killer blow.

SKA will now prepare to host Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Saint Petersburg on Saturday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 17:00 local time.

Match protocol:

CSKA – SKA – 2:3 OT (2:2, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 Sorkin (Poltapov, Sedov), 06.41

1:1 Khairullin (Sapego, Alistrov), 08.51 PPG

1:2 Korotky (I. Demidov, Nikishin), 13.52 PPG

2:2 Poltapov (Sorkin), 15.04

2:3 Nikishin (Grigorenko, Khairullin), 62.15

Goalkeepers: Khomchenko – Zavragin

Shots: 65 – 61

Shots on target: 35 – 38