“Traktor” lost to “Salavat Yulaev” for the third time this season

“Traktor” began the home series with a match against “Salavat Yulaev”. The Chelyabinsk team never managed to beat an awkward opponent. For the third time this season, the “black and whites” lost to the Ufa team 3:4. Maxim Shabanov, Vitaly Kravtsov and Sergey Telegin scored pucks for Traktor.

The match between competitors in the standings, and even geographical neighbors, predictably attracted another sold-out crowd at the Traktor Ice Arena. The Chelyabinsk team returned to its usual combinations after key defender Ilya Karpukhin recovered from injury. He took a place in the first pair of defense. Artyom Shuchinov turned out to be the seventh defender, and Ilya Nikolaev was outside the lineup. In the attack, Alexander Sharov returned to the center of the fourth line, and Nikita Tertyshny and Alexander Rykov dropped out of the lineup. The coaching staff entrusted Nikita Podskrebalin with a place in goal, leaving Zach Fucale in reserve.

In the very first minute, perhaps the main intrigue of the match was removed: Maxim Shabanov made a one-touch pass from Vladimir Tkachev and extended his scoring streak to 10 matches in a row. This is Traktor’s club record in the KHL. But in the drama of today’s match, this was not the main break. “Salavat Yulaev” bounced back, leaving the fourth line of the Chelyabinsk team out of action. The most experienced Nikolai Kulemin scored the goal. After that, the guests took the initiative and made many threats to Podskrebalin’s goal, but the teams went into the break with the score tied.

The beginning of the second period was unsuccessful for the “black and whites”. Nikita Podskrebalin failed to cope with Egor Suchkov’s not the most difficult throw, and the guests took the lead. A little later, “Salavat Yulaev” realized the barely expired majority. Ufa’s Alexander Sharov distinguished himself. Traktor experienced obvious game difficulties, but at the very end of the period, Vitaly Kravtsov slightly improved the mood of the Chelyabinsk team. Ilya Karpukhin brought him to the goal with a long pass, and Kravtsov did not miss.

The third period began with a four-minute penalty on Danil Yurtaikin (as can be seen on the replay, awarded incorrectly), which Ufa took advantage of. Ivan Drozdov again increased the guests’ advantage to two goals. “Traktor” was not going to give up, and in a positional attack again reduced the difference in the score to a minimum. Sergei Telegin hit the Salavat Yulaev goalkeeper with his signature powerful throw. The final assault on Traktor in an attempt to win back, unfortunately, did not lead to anything.

3:4 – the third defeat of the Chelyabinsk team from Salavat Yulaev this season. Despite this, the game and attitude of Alexei Zavarukhin’s team are positive. The team does not give up, is not afraid of opponents and continues to play good hockey despite mistakes. Traktor’s next match is on November 16 against Barys.