Matvey Kotkov scores KHL's first goal of new season
18-year-old Lokomotiv forward Matvey Kotkov opened the scoring in the 9th minute as Lokomotiv beat Traktor 5:1 in the KHL season opener.
Matvey Kotkov, an 18-year-old Forward for Lokomotiv, scored the first goal of the 2026/27 KHL regular season, opening the scoring on 9 minutes of the opener against Traktor. Lokomotiv won 5:1.
Kotkov described the buildup to the goal and his own nerves on his league debut.
The new KHL season started on 5 September and the regular championship runs until 20 March 2027. Lokomotiv are the defending Gagarin Cup holders, having beaten Ak Bars Kazan 4-2 in last season's final.
The win puts Lokomotiv straight on the front foot in their title defence, with Traktor already facing an opening-round defeat.
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