Neftekhimik 3–2 Sibir 10/4/2026
04.10.2026
Neftekhimik got a win over Sibir 3–2.
Neftekhimik and Sibir are set to play four games against each other this season. Neftekhimik won the first encounter, held in Novosibirsk on September 16, by a score of 3–0. Today, the second game took place, this time at the Neftekhim Arena. The visitors arrived in Nizhnekamsk in high spirits; just the day before, they had defeated the local Salavat Yulaev team in Ufa – a side that rarely drops points at home. Naturally, Sibir was eager to keep their winning streak alive. However, Neftekhimik was also incredibly motivated. After an overtime loss to Barys, they had clearly worked on their mistakes and were hungry for a win.
The first period was a tight, evenly matched affair, a fact fully reflected on the scoreboard, which showed a 1–1 tie at the break. While the visitors held a slight edge in shot volume, Neftekhimik had the advantage in terms of the quality and danger of their scoring chances. Had the home team converted just a couple of those opportunities, the scoreline would undoubtedly have looked different.
Several missed chances stood out, drawing genuine disappointment from the crowd: a powerful shot by Maxim Fedotov, a deft deflection by Damir Zhafyarov, a lightning-fast drive across the crease by Grigory Seleznyov, and a sharp, quick shot by Andrei Belozyorov during a power play. Any of these moments could have resulted in a goal, but Sibir goaltender Mikhail Berdin played confidently, preventing the Nizhnekamsk side from pulling ahead.
It was Neftekhimik, however, who opened the scoring. Maxim Fedotov initiated the attack, and it was brought to a successful conclusion in the crease by Evgeny Mityakin and Rafael Bikmullin, the latter capitalizing on the opportunity. This marked a milestone for Bikmullin – his 50th KHL goal – drawing an ovation from the crowd. It seemed the team would head into the break with the lead, but the joy was short-lived.
Neftekhimik made a mistake in their own zone. They lost possession, and Sibir instantly took advantage. The visitors launched a quick attack, setting up a player in a prime position to tie the game at 1–1. This tense moment late in the period served as a reminder that in hockey, one cannot afford to relax for even a second.
The battle remained evenly matched in the second period, though the visitors enjoyed a stroke of luck. A costly error by Neftekhimik while trying to clear the puck from their zone proved decisive; Egor Korshkov fired an accurate shot from mid-range to put Sibir ahead.
The pace of the game picked up noticeably after that goal. Neftekhimik ramped up the pressure in search of an equalizer, but the puck simply refused to cross the goal line. Mikhail Berdin’s confident play was a major factor; the Sibir goaltender was flawless, denying the home team a chance to level the score.
The dynamic remained unchanged after the break. Neftekhimik kept pushing for an opening, and it finally arrived in the 43rd minute. Andrei Belozyorov paused briefly before taking a shot; Berdin saved it but left a rebound right in front of the net. Amid the scramble in the slot, surrounded by opposing defenders, Damir Zhafyarov managed to poke the puck across the goal line. The game was tied, and the crowd erupted with emotion.
Tension mounted until the decisive moment arrived in the 54th minute. Grigory Seleznyov intercepted the puck at his own blue line – stripping it from a Sibir player – and raced toward the net along the wing. Breaking in one-on-one against Berdin, he failed to score on the initial attempt but immediately recovered the rebound, fired from the left boards, and found the back of the net.
The goal was initially credited to Seleznyov, but the referees revised the ruling after a video review. The winning goal was awarded to Viktor Andreichenko; it was his touch that proved decisive just before the puck crossed the line. Neftekhimik held on for the victory in a tense, dramatic finish.
Upcoming game:
DATE OPPONENT TIME
10/8/2026 vs Avangard ⏰7:30 pm
