Shalunov fires Loko to Gagarin glory
Former Traktor forward Maxim Shalunov potted the OT winner to give Lokomotiv its first ever Gagarin Cup. One year after the Railwaymen were swept in 2024, Igor Nikitin’s team got it right tonight, edging Traktor in game five as Shalunov settled the first overtime of this year’s final series.
Yaroslavl’s overtime joy
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 Traktor Chelyabinsk 1 OT (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0)
(Lokomotiv wins the Gagarin Cup 4-1)
After 68 minutes play in Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv grabbed the overtime goal that delivered Gagarin Cup joy. Maxim Shalunov’s effort banished memories of last year’s Grand Final loss as a capacity Arena 2000 crowd got to celebrate a trophy it has waited years to claim.
The big moment came when Andrei Sergeyev sent the puck behind Zach Fucale’s net for Artur Kayumov. Shalunov, alert to the possibilities, drifted into a bit of space in the right-hand corner and awaited a precise pass from his team-mate. Kayumov picked him out, a one-timer got past the goalie and unleashed jubilant scenes for Lokomotiv.
It was Shalunov’s first goal of the 2025 final, and his 13th (6+7) point of the playoffs. And it came against his hometown team: Shalunov made his KHL debut in 2011 with Traktor before his career took him to Sibir and CSKA, where the 32-year-old was part of Igor Nikitin’s previous title-winning team.
It’s been a long journey for Loko. Beaten in the first Gagarin Cup final back in 2009, the Railwaymen suffered tragedy in 2011. Rebuilding from that took time, on and off the ice, but last season saw Igor Nikitin lead his team to the Gagarin Cup final. Many had Lokomotiv as the favorite to defeat Metallurg, but instead the series ended in a sweep for the Steelmen.
Fast forward 13 months, and it’s a different story. Lokomotiv dominated the regular season and again moved purposefully through the playoffs. The lessons of 2024 were learned, and this time the team did not freeze in the final. Despite dropping the opening game of the series against Traktor, there was no panic. Instead, Yaroslavl reeled off four straight wins – culminating in tonight’s triumph on home ice – to secure a long-awaited title.
It’s the club’s first championship since 2003. For head coach Nikitin and winning goalscorer Shalunov it’s a second in his career after winning with CSKA in 2019. Likewise, Alexander Radulov is KHL champion for the second time after his first title back in 2011 with Salavat Yulaev.
Traktor, in need of a win to prolong this year’s final, made the brighter start in Yaroslavl. The home team had to withstand some early pressure. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev had the first shot at goal, albeit comfortable for Daniil Isayev, and there were half chances for Sergei Telegin, Steven Kampfer and Andrei Svetlakov in the first five minutes.
However, none of those openings seriously tested Isayev and Lokomotiv soon shut down that early enterprise. By the end of the first period the teams were producing even hockey with relatively few chances at either end. Befitting the significance of the occasion, the play was cautious rather than flamboyant and neither side was willing to risk making a costly mistake.
Notably, the first period passed with no penalties. But when Lokomotiv got its first power play of the evening in the 26th minute – Vladimir Tkachyov assessed a high sticking minor – it needed just five seconds to take advantage. Georgy Ivanov won the face-off, Yegor Surin got it back to the blue line and Martin Gernat unleashed a thunderous shot that went through traffic to beat Zach Fucale and give Lokomotiv the lead.
Shortly after that, Traktor had a great chance to tie the game with a power play of its own when Andrei Sergeyev got a double minor, also for high sticks. The visitor spent time in the Lokomotiv zone, and created chances. Maxim Shabanov was close to converting a feed to the back door, Vitaly Kravtsov almost stuffed home a rebound, then Grigory Dronov drilled a shot against the post as the Railwaymen wobbled, but remained upright.
For much of the third period the home team adopted its favored tactic when protecting a lead in the final frame. Lokomotiv allowed Traktor possession, but largely kept the visitor to the outside. Despite much effort, there were few big scoring chances as the clock ran down.
But, with six to play, Chelyabinsk seized a lifeline. Traktor still struggled to get inside a well-drilled home defense, but Kampfer flipped a point shot that got through traffic to beat Isayev and tie the game.
Belatedly, Lokomotiv stirred. Richard Panik was close to an instant response but his shot from the left circle flashed beyond the far post. Kampfer returned to his defensive duties to prevent Sergeyev firing home Artur Kayumov’s feed to the back door, and more resolute Traktor defense halted Alexander Polunin when he looked to convert a Radulov feed.
But there was no verdict in regulation. Lokomotiv then got a power play early in the extras but could not take advantage. But when the teams were back at full strength, Shalunov got the golden goal to bring his team’s season to a triumphant end.
