Radulov too good for Neftekhimik. September 25 round-up

Alexander Radulov was the architect of CSKA’s latest victory, with five assists in a 6-3 home win over Neftekhimik. The Army Men’s special teams were particularly effective early on, converting their first three power play opportunities as Radulov orchestrated chances for Chad Billins, Nikita Zaitsev and Stephane da Costa. A fourth power play saw CSKA hit the post before da Costa’s second came in the last minute of the first period and marked the first time a full-strength Neftekhimik conceded. Indeed at full strength the visitors showed some signs of making a game of it. Two well-worked first period goals from American imports Josh Hennessey and Dan Sexton kept CSKA honest. In the end, though, it was all about Radulov. Whenever he got the puck he sowed panic in the heart of the Neftekhimik defense, and getting the disc back off him was a task that typically required the close attention of at least two men. Only CSKA’s sixth of the night, a wicked one timer from Evgeny Artyukhin, had n ...