Tochilkin’s double can’t save Neftekhimik. October 26 round-up

After Thursday’s 2-1 win over Sochi lifted Neftekhimik to third place in the Eastern Conference, the Wolves had high hopes of a return to form. However, Saturday’s visit from second-placed Avtomobilist send Oleg Leontyev’s men spinning to a fifth loss in six games. Two goals from German Tochilkin could not help the home team as the Motormen continued to alternate wins and losses.

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 2 Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 3 (1-2, 0-0, 1-1)

The visitor got an early lead when Vladimir Kuznetsov redirected Evgeny Kashnikov’s long shot in the fifth minute. However, Kashnikov was also an unwilling participant in the home equalizer midway through the opening stanza. His skate deflected Tochilkin’s shot past Evgeny Alikin. It seemed that the teams would go to the intermission at 1-1, but nine seconds before the hooter Anatoly Golyshev punished a defensive error to restore the Avto advantage.

Both teams were well-disciplined. It wasn’t until the second period that the penalty box opened for business, with Vladislav Leontyev forced to bend the rules in halting a dangerous break from Curtis Valk. However, neither time was able to convert its power plays in the middle frame.

The home team had more puck possession as it looked to get back on level terms. However, Avtomobilist defended stoutly and made it difficult to bring play into the danger zone. All too often, it was dump-and-chase stuff that the visiting D could easily mop up.

As the game moved into its closing stages, Vyacheslav Leshchenko took an ill-timed penalty for Neftekhimik. This time, the power play did its job and Stephane Da Costa collected his 450th point in the KHL to set up Nick Ebert.

At 3-1, Avto looked safe, but there was a late scare when Tochilkin again got the vital touch on a long-range shot, this time from Grigory Seleznyov. With 73 seconds left, Neftekhimik withdrew goalie Artyom Zagidulin and pushed for a tying goal, but ran out of time before it could save the game. Avtomobilist held on to defeat the Wolves for the second time this season. The Yekaterinburg club cuts Traktor’s lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to eight points and moves three clear of today’s opponent.