"Guys stood strong and scored good goals": Orsk's Yuzhny Ural wins third consecutive match

Orsk«s »Yuzhny Ural« won its third match after the season resumed in the VHL (Supreme Hockey League). In the beginning of 2026, Vladislav Otmakhov»s team lost its opening match (although it hoped to delight its fans), and conceded in overtime to «Yugra», and suffered a 1:6 defeat from Tyumen«s »Rubin«, lost to »Zaurale« and »Omskie Krylya« (even on the day of the club»s foundation). But in the very first match of the home series, a victory over «Buran» was recorded, after that—over «Rostov», and now—over «Tambov». We tell how it was.

«Yuzhny Ural» actively started the match, and it bore fruit already 03:23 after the opening faceoff. A «Tambov» defender, who was forechecked in the right corner by a «YU» forward, poorly cleared the puck to the perimeter of his own crease, from where Ilya Zakharov did not miss — 1:0.

After that, the hosts were shorthanded (2 minutes for holding an opponent to Alexander Putilov), and «Tambov» managed to equalize, but after video review, the referees canceled the goal — the puck did not completely cross the goal line.

The result of the first period — 1:0 in favor of «Yuzhny Ural» with more than double the shot advantage — 25:10.

The second period proved much more difficult for the hosts. 2 minutes for kneeing to Ilya Gatiyatulin, and this power play «Tambov» realized without question. From passes by Emil Pyanov and Ivan Vasin, the puck into the net of Sergei Kudryavtsev was sent by Alexander Zhabreev.

In the middle of the period, «Yuzhny Ural» players again took the lead. A quick attack ended with a 2-on-1 break, and Konstantin Suslov calmly found the target — 2:1, assisted by Daniel Kulash and Ilya Gatiyatulin.

Towards the end, 2 minutes for tripping to the recently scoring Konstantin Suslov, and the teams started the third period with unequal numbers.

«Tambov» failed to score while playing 5 on 4, but soon managed to equalize at even strength. Scored by the same Alexander Zhabreev, with goal assists credited to Ivan Vasin and Yegor Dubrovsky.

At the 49:14 mark, «Yuzhny Ural»s« pressure materialized into the third goal. A sweeping attack went from behind the net through the blue line to the right faceoff circle: Valery Sitnikov shot low, the goalkeeper rebounded the puck to Stepan Ostrovsky, but could not handle the second attempt — goal credited to Mikhail Kurkin, who had not scored in 39 consecutive matches — 3:2!

In the finale, the hosts had a power play, the visitors pulled their goalkeeper trying to equalize, but in the end «Yuzhny Ural» completed the home series with a hundred percent record — three matches — three victories, it«s about time!

— Firstly, thanks to the fans for the support. They supported us throughout the entire match and the entire home series, in difficult moments when it was tough. But the guys stood strong and scored good goals. The home series ended with a maximum six points. Now we have a tough trip ahead. We«re preparing. All the boys—congratulations on the victory! Misha Kurkin—on his first goal! We have one fewer forward with zero goals in the scored column. Everyone with the victory! — said the head coach of »YU« Vladislav Otmakhov.

Ahead for the Orsk team are three days of rest, after which a four-match away series awaits. From January 31 to February 7, «Yuzhny Ural» will play away against «Dinamo-Altai», Novokuznetsk«s »Metallurg«, »Sokol«, and »Norilsk«.

By the way, there have been changes in the Orsk team«s roster. Defenseman Semen Lugovyak (9 matches, 0+3, plus-minus — 0) has been placed on waivers, and a contract has been signed with 21-year-old forward Mikhail Yefimov, who played for AKM at the VHL level.

Also, «Yuzhny Ural» traded 21-year-old defenseman Emil Salnikov (88 matches in VHL, 4+7) for his peer from SKA-VMF — defenseman Kirill Beshkorov (30 matches, 2+3).