The hosts Lokomotiv saw their unbeaten run at home come to an end when they lost 0-1 to fellow second-placed side Chaika in the MHL on Saturday. Our prediction had given Lokomotiv a 66 per cent chance of victory, but the match went another way entirely. By then, both teams had accumulated identical records of six wins, though the visitors had played one more game.
Lokomotiv had looked impressive in their recent outings, winning four of their last five matches by comfortable margins. The hosts had scored four goals against Spartak and Dynamo Moscow in particular, suggesting their attack was firing on all cylinders. To be fair, Chaika had also been in fine form, with a 6-1 victory over Stalnye Lisy just days before this encounter.
The decisive moment came when Chaika took advantage of a rare opportunity. Lokomotiv had nothing to do all evening in terms of creating clear chances, despite controlling much of the possession. The visitors' goalkeeper made only a handful of saves, but when he was called upon, he refused to go away from his task. The clean-sheet run came to an end for Lokomotiv in a manner that won't be forgotten.
The result changes little in the standings at this stage, though it adds an edge to the upcoming meetings between these sides. Both teams remain tied on points in second place, with Lokomotiv holding a slight advantage due to playing fewer games. The gap between them and any chasing pack remains substantial.
For Lokomotiv, this defeat serves as a reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly in junior hockey. The hosts dug in defensively but found themselves punished when their opponents struck. Chaika, meanwhile, proved they could compete away from home against the league's stronger sides.
