Sibir Overcomes Neftekhimik in Shootout After Squandering Two-Goal Lead

In a challenging away game, Sibir secured a hard-fought 3-2 shootout victory against Neftekhimik. Egor Alanov contributed with two assists, and Nikita Soshnikov scored the decisive penalty shot.

Neftekhimik entered the game with a desperate need to redeem a dismal home stand, having previously lost four consecutive matches on home ice and scoring a mere five goals. Sibir arrived in Nizhnekamsk following a 2-4 defeat to Lada, which marked Vyacheslav Butsaev`s first loss as the head coach of the Novosibirsk team. The `Wolves` (Neftekhimik) lineup saw several changes, with Ilya Pastukhov, Kondrat Reshetnikov, and Arsen Khisamutdinov returning. For Sibir, goaltender Anton Krasotkin finally returned to action after being sidelined since September 24 due to injury.

The game started with immediate intensity. In the very first minute, Nikita Soshnikov tested the hosts` goalpost with a powerful shot. Sibir maintained their offensive pressure and soon opened the scoring when Arkhip Nekolenko tapped in a superb cross-ice pass from Egor Alanov. Neftekhimik then seized the initiative, outshooting their opponents more than two-to-one in the first period (15-6). However, despite their efforts, Neftekhimik couldn`t equalize before the intermission, largely due to Krasotkin`s inspired performance, as he made crucial saves even in the most challenging situations.

Neftekhimik continued to outshoot Sibir significantly in the second period (10-6), but once again, they couldn`t beat the in-form Krasotkin. The Sibir goaltender consistently denied every shot, while Neftekhimik`s forwards seemed to lack crucial luck. In contrast, the Novosibirsk team capitalized on their opportunities more effectively. In the 35th minute, Sibir extended their lead with a power-play goal. Although power-play conversion hasn`t been Sibir`s strongest suit this season, Vladimir Butuzov scored during a 5-on-4 advantage. This goal marked Butuzov`s first of the current Fonbet KHL Championship, having played 12 matches previously without registering a point.

At the start of the third period, Neftekhimik desperately needed a quick goal, and they got it. Matvei Nadvorny skillfully redirected a shot from teammate Danil Kvartalnov, sending the low-flying puck under Krasotkin`s crossbar. Then, in the 52nd minute, the surging Neftekhimik completed their comeback. Andrey Belozyorov outmaneuvered half of the opposing team, broke towards the net, and attempted a pass, but a fortunate deflection resulted in a goal for him.

The score remained unchanged for the remainder of regulation, sending the game into overtime. The extra period was largely uneventful, with both teams rarely pressing offensively, preferring to circulate the puck in the neutral zone. The winner was ultimately decided in a shootout, where the visitors prevailed, with Soshnikov converting the decisive shot. Sibir clinched a 3-2 shootout victory, while Neftekhimik suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.

Three Stars of the Game