Salavat Yulaev scored second dry win over Traktor in KHL playoffs

The coaches of both Traktor and Salavat Yulaev made some changes for the fourth match of the series. Anvar Gatiyatulin decided to engage heavier defenders and, from the first minutes, put Roman Villa into the net. Ufa coach Tomi Lamsa returned Pavel Koledov to the play, who missed the third match in Chelyabinsk.

Traktor started this match according to the third game scenario. Salavat Yulaev took a wait-and-see attitude. In the first 20 minutes, the Traktor arena did not see any goals. After a break in one of the episodes, Rodion Amirov overplayed the opponent on the blue line, ran away from the defenders, threw a puck, and crossed the goal line together with the puck and the goalkeeper. For nine minutes, the referee team watched the moment and did not count the goal, as there was a contact with the goalie.

Despite the tight coverage of foreign players, the Chelyabinsk defenders for a few seconds lost sight of Teemu Hartikainen, who in the 35th minute brought the guests ahead.

Gatiyatulin's team tried to cheer up during the match and began to visit the net of Juha Metsola more often. However, Manninen's joining the game and Granlund's putback increased the advantage of Salavat Yulaev. Towards the end of the match, Traktor changed the goalkeeper for the extra player, but Salavat managed to ice the game - 3: 0. The score in the series, which returns to Ufa, is 3-1.

Juha Metsola made the second shutout in a row and the 31st in the KHL.

The next match of the opponents of the first round of the playoffs will be held on Thursday, March 11. The beginning is at 7:00 pm Ufa time.