In a matter of seconds, the crease in front of Emil Garipov's goal became the site of a massive pile of celebrating players, with the hero goalie, who had shut out the opposition to ensure his team's triumph, almost completely buried by his team-mates.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
KHL President Dmitry Chernyshenko and Republic of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov presented the precious trophy, held aloft here by Ak Bars captain Alexander Svitov and playoffs MVP Justin Azevedo.
Photo: Yury Kuzmin
The emotions the victory triggered among the fans in the stands are impossible to describe in words. They had been waiting for such a moment since 2010. And the Ak Bars cheerleaders were similarly full of good cheer.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Hockey's most famous Canadian of Portuguese descent, Justin Azevedo, was the undisputed top scorer of the postseason, with an almighty haul of 24 points – 9 goals and 15 assists – from 19 games.
Photo: Yury Kuzmin
Joy and jubilation among the winners, and for the runners-up, sadness and disappointment. Every one of them gave his all, but as always, one side has to lose.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Probably the safest pair of hands to have touched the precious silverware this season. Kazan goaltender Emil Garipov was the third player, after captain Svitov and legend Zaripov, to raise the Gagarin Cup.
Photo: Yury Kuzmin
CSKA's most experienced player, forward Alexander Popov, was a driving force behind the Army Men for much of the season. When the battle was over, he found it hard to fight back the emotions of defeat.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Long after the drama on the ice was over, the Ak Bars players continued to celebrate with their comrades, their families, and their fans, with every kiss of a medal, every raising of the Cup, and every wave of the hand greeted with hearty cheers.
Photo: Yury Kuzmin
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov became the first coach in the history of the League to win the trophy three times with the same team. After the game, the fans paid tribute to him, while he graciously applauded his players.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
The final page in the story of this jubilee season is written, and with a twist in the tale. Ak Bars, the first winner of the Gagarin Cup, emerged victorious in the tenth KHL Championship. Bravo, Kazan!
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Trying to stop Bilyaletdinov was Igor Nikitin, in his first full season as head coach. Nikitin is 18 years younger than his opposite number, and he surely has many victories ahead of him.
Photo: Yury Kuzmin
Later there was a long discussion between the hero of the night, Danis Zaripov, and a hero of Kazan's glorious past, Alexei Morozov - now the head of the YHL. Morozov handed former Ak Bars brother-in-arms Zaripov his trophy and winner's medal.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Zinetula Bilyaletdinov was the main architect of this victory. While the experts and fans were discussing whether SKA or CSKA would take the big prize, Bilyaletdinov just let his team's hockey do the talking.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
The final siren had barely sounded when a cloud of sticks, helmets, and gloves flew into the air, all accompanied by the deafening roar from a packed Tatneft Arena, while players and staff from the Ak Bars bench poured onto the ice.
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
Danis Zaripov became a five-time winner of the Gagarin Cup! A gold medal every other season throughout his ten years in the KHL. Will anyone even match this achievement, let alone surpass it?
Photo: Vladimir Bezzubov
