Lokomotiv edges in front after winning game three

After dropping the opening game for the third series in a row, Loko moved up 2-1 for the third series in a row after picking up a win in Chelyabinsk. Traktor’s first Gagarin Cup final home game since 2013 ended in disappointment as the visitor skated to a 5-2 victory.

Kayumov double leads Loko past Traktor

Traktor Chelyabinsk 2 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 5 (1-1, 0-2, 1-2)

(Lokomotiv leads the series 2-1)

Two goals from Artur Kayumov led the way for Lokomotiv as the Railwaymen got in front in the 2025 Gagarin Cup final. Another road win for Igor Nikitin’s men – a sixth in seven away games in this year’s playoffs – ensures another turnaround for Yaroslavl after losing the opening game on Tuesday.

Traktor had injury concerns ahead of this game, with Charles Robinson and Andrei Svetlakov suffering knocks in Yaroslavl on Thursday. In the event, neither could feature in game three. Instead, Yegor Popov and Alexander Rykov were brought into the attack, while Ilya Nikolayev was named as a seventh defenseman. Popov was making his first appearance since late February.

Lokomotiv also had to make changes: Alexander Polunin missed out today, as did Daniil But. Daniil Tesanov and Loko’s Ilya Nikolayev, a forward, took their places.

Chelyabinsk had waited 12 years to host Gagarin Cup final action following Traktor’s previous appearance in 2013. And the home crowd – a 7,500 sell-out – saw their heroes get the opening goal after 16 minutes when Vitaly Kravtsov produced a fine redirect to send Grigory Dronov’s point shot beyond Daniil Isayev.

This time, the lead was short-lived. On 18:12, Loko got its first power play of the game and 37 seconds later Kayumov had his first of the night. Alexander Radulov grabbed a loose puck in center ice and drove into the Traktor zone before dishing off a feed for Kayumov to finish.

Early in the second, the visitor got in front on a breakaway goal from Byron Froese. As Lokomotiv swiftly turned defense into offense, an odd-man rush saw Richard Panik get into space and set up Froese at the back door.

Traktor responded by trying to raise its attacking tempo. Arseny Koromyslov created a moment of danger on the wraparound right after Froese’s goal and the home team continued to press. At times, Loko struggled to get over the blue line, but the defense held on.

Perhaps the best chance of a tying goal came in the 33rd minute when Traktor got a two-on-one rush. Vasily Glotov’s shot was dangerous, but whistled just past the post with Isayev struggling to reach it.

However, the next goal went to the visitor. A spell of pressure in front of Zach Fucale’s net ended with Nikita Kiryanov redirecting a point shot beyond the goalie to make it 3-1 at the second intermission.

To keep the game alive, Traktor needed a fast start in the third. And the home team got just that. First, Loko’s Yegor Surin went to the box. Traktor could not score on the power play, but just as the Railwaymen got back to a full contingent, Rykov grabbed his first playoff goal to give his team hope of a fightback.

However, that was as close as Benoit Groulx’s men could get. Lokomotiv responded by moving play back down the ice and it wasn’t until midway through the frame that we saw the home team as an attacking force again. Isayev had to deal with a few anxious moments, then found himself facing six skaters. But Lokomotiv had the better of the finale, with an empty net goal giving Kayumov his double before Alexei Bereglazov had the final word.

The series continues Monday in Chelyabinsk – and now it’s Traktor’s turn to play catch-up.