Club Friendly· Season 2026
AKM defeated Dinamo St. Petersburg 2-1 on penalties in a pre-season friendly on 15 August 2026, with Damir Rakhimullin scoring shorthanded and Makar Khanin netting the decisive shootout attempt.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
A goalless first period saw both teams trade spells of pressure without finding the net. Dinamo's Ivan Kazakovtsev went clean through but fired wide, while Vladislav Kara could not beat the AKM goaltender after driving to the crease.
AKM struck first early in the second period — and did so shorthanded. Damir Rakhimullin raced onto a clearance, went clean through against Dmitry Kulikov, and lifted the puck over the goaltender's glove to make it 1-0.
Dinamo levelled on the powerplay minutes later. Daniil Ogirchuk fired a one-timer that Alexander Korzin could only parry, and Leonid Boykov crashed the rebound home.
The third period passed without a goal, as did the 3-on-3 overtime despite a tense Dinamo penalty kill in the extra session.
In the shootout, Dmitry Zhukenov converted for the hosts but former Dinamo forward Makar Khanin netted the decisive attempt for AKM, securing the 2-1 victory.
Key performers
Damir Rakhimullin (AKM) — opened the scoring with a perfectly executed shorthanded breakaway, showcasing the speed and composure that made him a constant threat on the counter.
Leonid Boykov (Dinamo) — scored the equaliser on the powerplay and was a physical presence around the net throughout.
Dmitry Kulikov (Dinamo) — made several sharp saves to keep his side in the game, particularly during the first-period pressure and the 3-on-4 penalty kill in overtime.
Turning point
Dinamo controlled large stretches of the second and third periods but could not find a second goal. The key sequence came in overtime: a high-sticking penalty forced Dinamo to defend for two minutes, and the momentum never fully swung back. The resulting shootout — where AKM converted twice to Dinamo's once — decided the contest.
What it means
Dinamo St. Petersburg continue their pre-season build-up ahead of the 2026-27 VHL campaign. The result is a narrow defeat in a competitive workout, not a league fixture, so its significance is limited to fitness and sharpness. AKM's ability to absorb pressure and finish via the shootout will please their coaching staff.
By the numbers
The Betmana data shows 0-0 after the first period, a 1-1 second, a scoreless third and a scoreless overtime before shootout. This reflects a cagey start, a lively middle frame where both goals arrived, and a tight defensive third period and OT. The shootout — AKM converting 2 of their attempts to Dinamo's 1 — proved the difference.
Verdict
A competitive pre-season contest decided by the finest of margins. Dinamo will rue their inability to convert second-period dominance into a second goal; AKM will welcome the defensive resolve and the composure of Khanin under shootout pressure. Neither side will read too much into the result, but both got what they needed: match sharpness and minutes for their full squad.
Rivalry since 2021
Dinamo St. Petersburg vs AKM Head to Head Results· 15
Dinamo St. Petersburg and AKM have met 15 times — Dinamo St. Petersburg won 10, AKM won 5, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2021. Dinamo St. Petersburg leads the head-to-head with 10 victories from 15 meetings. A combined 80 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.33 per match (48 for the home side, 32 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 11 matches (73%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 13 games (87%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 5–3 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 16 Aug 2026