Seven straight wins for CSKA, nine losses for Red Star. December 1 round-up

CSKA produced another impressive display to overwhelm Amur as goalie Ilya Sorokin got his fifth shut-out of the campaign. But Kunlun’s struggles continue, edged out by Vityaz to suffer a ninth consecutive defeat.

Army Men march past Amur

CSKA Moscow 4 Amur Khabarovsk 0 (1-0, 2-0, 1-0)

CSKA produced an overpowering display to defeat Amur and make it seven wins in a row.

Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring midway through the first period, ending his six-game goal drought, as the Army Men dominated from the off. But it was the second session that really decided the outcome. CSKA scored two further goals, a couple of minutes apart in the middle of the frame, while Amur was limited to just two shots at the other end. Andrei Kuzmenko’s 11th goal of the season made it 2-0, then Sergei Shumakov got to work.

Shumakov, whose goal against Red Star in midweek went viral, put his stamp on proceedings with two points. First, he pinched possession as Amur’s PP produced some sloppy play on the boards. A rush and a pass presented Maxim Shalunov with a routine finish for the short-handed goal to make it 3-0. Next, in the third period, Shumakov wrapped it up with a goal of his own, smashing a shot home from long range after Shalunov won an attacking face-off.

That underlined CSKA’s superiority, while Ilya Sorokin posted his fifth shut-out of the season after making 19 saves.

Photo: 01.12.17. KHL Championship 2017/18. CSKA (Moscow) - Amur (Khabarovsk)

Nikulin inspires Vityaz victory

Vityaz Moscow Region 2 Kunlun Red Star 1 (0-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Vityaz kept up its recent improvement, but Red Star’s search for a change of fortune goes on.

The home made it four wins from five thanks to Alexei Makeyev’s power play goal in the 44th minute. Makeyev rifled home a one-timer from close range off Alexander Nikulin’s feed to snap a 1-1 tie with his 13th goal of the season and that proved to be enough to avenge Vityaz’ 0-2 loss in China earlier in the season.

Earlier, Nikulin gave Vityaz the lead at the start of the middle frame, but Red Star responded quickly to equalize through Pavel Vorobei.

Photo: 01.12.17. KHL Championship 2017/18. Vityaz (Moscow Region) - Kunlun Red Star (Beijing)