Neftekhimik Secures Tie in Premier League Play-Off Series with Ak Barat

Moscow, March 7 – Nizhnekamsk “Neftekhimik” scored a strong victory over Kazan “Ak Bars” and equalized the score in the first round of the Continental Hockey League (KHL) playoffs.

The meeting in Nizhnekamsk ended with a score of 4: 2 (0: 0, 2: 2, 2: 0). Raul Yakubov (27th minute), Simon Kizimov (33rd), Evgeny Mitakin (56th) and Vyacheslav Leshchenko (59th) scored goals among the hosts, who lost 0:2 during the second half. Kirill Petrov (22) and Stanislav Galev (22) scored goals for the guests. Kazan forward Vadim Chipachev, who played his 900th match in the KHL, scored an assist.

Ak Bars head coach Zentula Bilyaletdinov came out on top in terms of the number of matches in the KHL playoffs (121), overtaking Oleg Znarka. Yakupov became the youngest scorer in the playoffs for Neftekhimik. It was marked by an age of 18 years and 259 days. The previous achievement belonged to Bogdan Yakimov (21 years and 145 days).

“Neftekhimik” brought the score in the series to four victories – 2-2. The fifth match will be held in Kazan on March 9.