Exhibition game: Neftekhimik 4–1 HC Chelny 7/29/2026
29.07.2026
Neftekhimik got a win over over HC Chelny 4–1.
In the first period the guest took the initiative early in the game. HC Chelny looked faster, and played physical hockey, engaging their opponents hard along the boards. They created more scoring chacnes in front of the Neftekhimik's net, but matvei Botov handled it well, preventing the guest team from opening the scoring.The home team also had chances to score. In the seventh minute, Nikita Khoruzhev had an opportunity to make it 1–0, but his shot went wide due to a lack of accuracy. Despite numerous scoring chances, the first period ended goalless.
The second period was high–scoring one. HC Chelny was first to capitalize, scoring on the power play: Maxim Ustimkin, a home team alumnus, fired the puck into an empty net. Just seconds later, the home team quickly responded with a power play goal. Khoruzhev, Bikmullin and Tochilkin made a tic–tac–toe play and tied the game up. That players continued to dominate the ice and scored two more goals. Before the second intermission, the score on the score board was 4–1.
The third period, like the first one, ended goalless. Nevertheless, the fans – over 1,500 of them in the stands at the Neftekhim Arena – had no time to be bored.
This game was a good test for Neftekhimik's young players and an opportunity for the rookies to prove their skills. The confident play of goaltenders Botov and Lyubalin, kept the team in the game.
