Molot Perm vs Tolpar

Molot struck first. At 13:00 of the opening period, the Perm side broke through to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Tolpar responded in the second period. They equalised at 21:00, then grabbed the lead at 32:00 to go 2-1 up. Molot fought back, levelling at 2-2 before the period was out.

The third period followed a similar pattern. Tolpar regained the advantage at 44:00, making it 3-2, but Molot — demonstrating resilience they had shown in their earlier 4-3 OT loss to Tolpar on 4 August — equalised again. The 3-3 goal came at 60:00, the final minute of regulation, forcing overtime.

In the extra frame, Tolpar needed just one minute to decide it. They scored at 61:00, sealing a 4-3 victory.

Molot’s last-gasp equaliser to make it 3-3 at 60:00 appeared to have swung momentum their way. But Tolpar showed composure in the 3-on-3 overtime, striking just 60 seconds in — before Molot could build on their late regulation surge. The quick-strike finish prevented any chance of a shootout and gave Tolpar the extra point.

Tolpar’s offensive unit deserves credit for repeatedly regaining the lead. Twice they saw Molot equalise, and twice they responded within minutes — at 21:00 after conceding first, and at 44:00 after Molot’s second equaliser.

Molot’s resilience was noteworthy. Despite being outscored 25-5 in the historical head-to-head across 30 meetings (per Betmana data), Molot twice battled back from a goal down — including a 60th-minute equaliser — to force overtime.

The 4-3 scoreline matches the result from their meeting on 4 August in Ufa, which also ended 4-3 in Tolpar’s favour after OT. Across their three pre-season encounters this month, Tolpar have outscored Molot 12-7 (4-1, 4-3 OT, 4-3 OT), consistently finding ways to win close games. The head-to-head record remains heavily lopsided: Tolpar have won 25 of 30 meetings since 2012, with both teams scoring in 90% of those fixtures and every single one (30/30) going over 2.5 goals.

This tournament in Magnitogorsk serves as final pre-season preparation for the 2026/27 MHL season. Tolpar (Gold Division) entered as tournament favourites alongside hosts Stalnye Lisy, while Molot (Silver Division) have shown they can compete closely — pushing Tolpar to overtime in both their August meetings.

Molot’s next fixture at the tournament is against Mamonty Yugry later on 16 August. Tolpar face Mamonty Yugry on 17 August.

Tolpar’s third win over Molot this pre-season confirms the gap between the Gold and Silver divisions, but the narrow margins (two OT wins) suggest Molot are closing the distance. Tolpar’s ability to strike early in overtime was the difference.