Lokomotiv Yaroslavl triumphs in historic Gagarin Cup victory

For years, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl had lingered on the brink of greatness. A perennial contender, often described as a team whose time was “almost” here, finally seized its moment. With a thrilling 2–1 overtime victory against Traktor Chelyabinsk in Game 5 of the final series, Lokomotiv secured the first Gagarin Cup in club history—an emotional and long-awaited milestone.

Previously, Lokomotiv reached the Gagarin Cup final twice.

In the first KHL season, the team under the leadership of Kari Heikkilä lost to Ak Bars in seven games, and last year they lost to Metallurg.

The championship, won on home ice at Arena-2000, was a powerful redemption story. Just one year earlier, the same arena was the site of heartbreak as Lokomotiv fell in the 2024 final. But rather than letting defeat define them, the team used it as fuel. Under the calm, methodical leadership of head coach Igor Nikitin, they returned stronger, smarter, and determined not to settle for silver again.

This season's Lokomotiv was built not just on talent, but on character and calculated growth. Nikitin and the front office made key offseason moves, most notably bringing in veteran forward Alexander Radulov. His arrival added not only offensive firepower but also a spark of emotional leadership that proved essential in high-pressure moments.

Radulov’s contribution was decisive. At 37, he shattered records en route to being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Gagarin Cup Playoffs, posting 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) across 21 games. After lifting the trophy, the veteran dedicated the victory to the city of Yaroslavl and to the memory of teammates and staff lost in the tragic 2011 plane crash.

“This is for them, 100%,” said Radulov. “For everyone who is no longer with us, and for this city that has stood by this team through everything. I believe they were watching us and giving us strength. We finally did it.”

The final game mirrored the intensity of Lokomotiv’s journey. After a scoreless first period, Gernat put the home team ahead midway through the second. Traktor's Kämpfer equalized late in the third, pushing the game into overtime. It was there, at 68:01, that Shalunov found the net off a feed from Sergeev and Kayumov—sealing the win and the series, 4–1.

Beyond the scoreline, Lokomotiv's playoff performance demonstrated maturity and mental toughness. They didn’t dominate every game, but they consistently found ways to win—even in tight, low-scoring affairs. The team displayed a rare balance of composure and hunger, traits sharpened by their 2024 experience.

The 2025 title also places Igor Nikitin among the KHL's elite coaches. Already a Gagarin Cup winner with CSKA in 2019, Nikitin now becomes just the fifth coach in league history with multiple championships, joining Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, Oleg Znarok, Vyacheslav Bykov, and Sergei Fedorov.

Lokomotiv becomes the eighth club to win the KHL's top prize, joining the ranks of Ak Bars, Dynamo Moscow, SKA, CSKA, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Salavat Yulaev, and Avangard. Remarkably, they also matched a rare achievement: winning both the regular season and the Gagarin Cup in the same year—a feat previously accomplished only by CSKA, also under Nikitin’s command.

But this victory was more than just a statistical accomplishment. It was a triumph for the people of Yaroslavl—a city that has supported its team through generations of change, pain, and promise. Fans celebrated not only the win but the emotional weight it carried: decades of loyalty, the legacy of 2011, and the spirit of a club that refused to give up.

As the final horn sounded and the Cup was raised high into the rafters of Arena-2000, one truth stood out: Lokomotiv is no longer chasing destiny. They’ve arrived—and they’re here to stay.

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