Almetyevsk claimed a 3-2 victory over Khimik in the VHL on Thursday, keeping their home advantage on track. Both sides had played twelve games before this encounter, with the hosts sitting third and the visitors second in the table. The result extends Almetyevsk's recent winning streak while halting Khimik's momentum after a heavy 8-2 win earlier in the week.
Almetyevsk have been steady at home, picking up nine wins from twelve matches with just three defeats. Khimik carried a similar record but had shown vulnerability away from home, losing four times already this season. By then, the visitors had already played a dozen fixtures and knew the pressure of chasing the top spot.
The visitors had looked sharp in their last outing, scoring eight goals against CSK VVS, but that kind of performance can be hard to replicate. Almetyevsk, meanwhile, have won three of their last five games, including wins over Magnitogorsk and Perm. To be fair, consistency at this level matters more than any single display.
Almetyevsk now sit third with 12 games played and nine victories, while Khimik remain in second place with eight wins and four losses. The gap between them is narrow, and every result this early in the season carries weight. Neither side has accumulated any points yet in the standings, which reflects the league's current structure rather than any lack of effort.
The hosts' recent form includes victories over Magnitogorsk and Perm, along with losses to Chelmet and Omsk. Khimik's run has been mixed, with a heavy defeat to Gornyak and a narrow win over SKA-VMF. The result puts Almetyevsk in a stronger position as they look to close the distance on the leaders.
