Karaganda vs Pavlodar

Karaganda's three-goal burst across the end of P1 and through P2 effectively decided the match. Presnov's power-play goal at 14:34 of the middle frame gave the hosts a three-goal cushion that Pavlodar — despite two late third-period power-play tallies — could not overcome. Karaganda's special teams were decisive: two of their four goals came with the man advantage.

• R. Dyomin (Karaganda): One goal and two primary assists across three different scoring plays. His pass set up Karaban's opener, he scored himself in P2, and he assisted Korolinsky's early P3 goal.
• D. Presnov (Karaganda): Scored the crucial power-play goal that made it 3-0 and gave his side breathing room.
• Y. Korolinsky (Karaganda): Struck early in the third on the power-play to cap his side's scoring; ultimately the game-winner.
• A. Yevloyev (Pavlodar): A goal and an assist in the third period, driving Pavlodar's brief revival.

Player of the match: R. Dyomin (Karaganda) — a goal and two assists in a dominant all-round performance.

Karaganda controlled the game through the first 40 minutes, building a 3-0 lead that Pavlodar could not erase. All four of Karaganda's goals came from different scorers, spreading the offensive burden. Pavlodar's two goals both arrived on third-period power-plays, suggesting their even-strength play was stifled for long stretches. The three power-play goals across both teams (Karaganda 2, Pavlodar 2) underscore how much of the game's decisive action happened on special teams. Karaganda's discipline in the first two periods — conceding no power-play goals — was as important as their own conversions.

This was the opening match of the 2026 Kazakhstan Cup Group B, hosted in Karaganda. The win gives the home side an early advantage in the round-robin group that also includes Nomad Astana, Humo Tashkent, and Gornyak Rudny. Karaganda have now won 27 of 29 all-time meetings with Pavlodar and remain unbeaten in the last 10 head-to-heads. Pavlodar, who have won only 2 of 29 meetings between the sides, will need to regroup quickly with further group-stage fixtures ahead.

Karaganda's first-period control and ruthless power-play execution built an unassailable lead by early in the third. Pavlodar showed fight with two late consolations, but the damage was already done. If Karaganda maintain this special-teams efficiency, they will be a difficult side to beat in Group B.