Every match between CSKA and Lokomotiv this season is in the spotlight of fans, journalists and experts. Both teams are moving fairly evenly along the distance, at the moment they are arguing for an intermediate second place in the Western Conference table and are looking at each other as a possible opponent for the second round of the playoffs. The factor of having several ex-CSKA players in the roster of Lokomotiv at once also gives an additional intrigue to face-to-face confrontations.
At the start of the match, the CSKA looked very good. We controlled the puck, pinched the opponent in the zone, put the players in good positions to throw. But in the end, something was missing every time. Lokomotiv endured for the time being, played only defensively, but gradually the owners of the ice managed to move the game away from their goal. And it was Lokomotiv that opened the score. Ivan Chekhov distinguished himself, he managed an accurate throw from an average distance. After this success, the Lokomotiv took over the initiative and managed to double the score before the break, working in the power play. Although the referees did not immediately count the goal, believing that there was interference with the goalkeeper. However, after watching the video, they pointed to the center.
The second period turned out to be even more interesting, and not only directly in terms of hockey. Passions began to boil, resulting in tough power techniques and mass clashes in front of the goals. But there was also something to see in terms of the game. Maxim Mamin scored to Lokomotiv after the puck was taken out from behind the goals. The CSKA could even the score. Playing in the power play, they were close to scoring. But the opponent persevered, and at the end of the period regained the advantage of two goals. Unfortunately, this moment predetermined the further course of the game. The CSKA team did not manage to reduce the gap to a minimum and claim salvation in the end. Today, the stock of points could not be replenished, the next stop is CSKA ARENA and a home match against Dynamo dedicated to the memory of Vsevolod Bobrov.
