Mikhaylov Academy U20 vs Almaz

Almaz Cherepovets completed a dramatic comeback from 2–1 down, equalising with 27 seconds left in regulation and winning 49 seconds into overtime to beat Mikhaylov Academy U20 4–3 on the opening night of the Governor of Tula Region Cup in Tula.

How It Unfolded

Mikhaylov Academy drew first blood at the Ice Palace. Ivan Kulagin opened the scoring at 05:16 of the first period, finishing a feed from Andrey Ryzhkov. Almaz replied inside the final minute of the period — Timofey Kalinin tied it 1–1 at 19:14 with Ivan Okunev providing the assist.

The hosts regained control in the second period. German Boyarkin put Mikhaylov Academy ahead 2–1 at 32:38, with Yaroslav Stepanov and Ivan Kulagin credited on the play. The score held through the second intermission.

Almaz turned the game in the third. Timofey Perminov struck twice — first on the power play at 46:01 (assists from Nikita Kichigin and Ivan Okunev) to level at 2–2, then again at 51:34 (Okunev with the secondary assist again) to give Almaz its first lead at 3–2.

Mikhaylov Academy pushed for an equaliser and pulled goaltender Nikita Bykov for an extra attacker with two minutes to play. The gamble paid off: with a man advantage after Timofey Kalinin was called for interference at 57:58, Kulagin fired his second of the night from Andrey Ryzhkov and Denis Fedyaev at 59:33 to make it 3–3 and force overtime.

Overtime lasted just 49 seconds. Almaz defenceman Miron Konovalov buried the winner at 63:31, with Timofey Perminov registering his third point of the night on the assist.

The Turning Point

Almaz's power-play goal at 46:01 changed the game's trajectory. Mikhaylov Academy had controlled the tempo through two periods, but Perminov's PPG — coming just 14 seconds into a tripping minor to Mikhail Vorfolomeyev — shifted momentum decisively. Almaz outshot the hosts 17–10 in the third period and 6–0 in overtime.

Key Performers

• Timofey Perminov (Almaz): Two goals (one PPG) and an assist, involved in three of Almaz's four goals. The primary offensive driver on the night.
• Ivan Kulagin (Mikhaylov Academy): Two goals, including the dramatic extra-attacker equaliser with 27 seconds left. Also added an assist on Boyarkin's goal — three points from the forward.
• Miron Konovalov (Almaz): Scored the overtime winner 49 seconds into the extra period. The defenceman finished plus-1 on the night.
• Ivan Okunev (Almaz): Registered three assists — on Kalinin's equaliser and both Perminov goals. A constant threat from the blueline.

By the Numbers — Interpreted

Almaz outshot Mikhaylov Academy 58–29 on goal (81–47 total attempts), a lopsided margin that reflects sustained territorial dominance through the second half of the game. The shot disparity was most pronounced in overtime, where Almaz recorded six shots on goal while Mikhaylov Academy managed none. Almaz also won the faceoff battle 36–30. Mikhaylov Academy's goaltender Nikita Bykov made 54 saves on 58 shots but was under relentless pressure. The hosts converted 1 of 4 power plays; Almaz went 1-for-5.

What It Means

Both teams were using this fixture as a pre-season tune-up for the 2026/27 MHL campaign. Almaz, who finished bottom of the Western Conference's Gold Division last season and were relegated to the Silver Division, showed encouraging form under new head coach Alexander Maryin — winning three of their last five pre-season outings. Mikhaylov Academy, who finished sixth in the Gold Division and reached the play-in round last season, have now played three friendlies (1–2, with a shootout win over Krylya Sovetov and losses to Krasnaya Mashina Atlant and Almaz).

Verdict

A deserved win for Almaz, whose volume shooting told the story. Mikhaylov Academy showed resilience to force overtime with the extra attacker, but the 58–29 shots-on-goal gap was too large to overcome over 63 minutes. Perminov and Okunev's chemistry was the decisive factor.