Karnaukhov goal gives CSKA the edge. October 27 round-up
CSKA posted its ninth consecutive victory, but Sergei Fedorov’s team had to work hard to get past a stubborn Dinamo Minsk in Moscow. Earlier, Amur defeated Severstal 5-2, and Sibir came from behind to sink Barys 4-3.
Amur’s on-loan stars make the difference
Amur Khabarovsk 5 Severstal Cherepovets 2 (1-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Nikita Grebyonkin’s first KHL goal helped Amur to victory over Severstal. The win lifts the Tigers off the foot of the Eastern Conference, but the Steelmen’s losing streak now extends to five games.
The early stages of the game went the visitor’s way, with an excellent wrister from Igor Geraskin putting Severstal in front. However, towards the end of the first period Amur got back into the game and tied the scores when Grebyonkin, on loan from Metallurg, found the net.
The second period followed a similar pattern. Severstal restored its lead through Adam Liska. This time, though, Amur responded immediately thanks to Pavel Makhanovsky. And three minutes later Vyacheslav Gretsky put the Tigers in front for the first time in the game.
For a long time, the result was in the balance. Severstal’s forwards worked Janis Kalnins hard in the home net but could not retake the lead. Then, in the third period the home team took charge of the game. Yaroslav Likhachyov, another on-loan youngster, made it 4-2 before yet another temporary reinforcement in Khabarovsk, Sergei Dubakin, wrapped it up with a power play goal.
Third 4-3 win for Sibir
Sibir Novosibirsk 4 Barys Astana 3 (1-2, 1-0, 2-1)
Sibir rallied from 0-2 to take a 4-3 verdict for the third game in a row. Barys, meanwhile, was close to recovering from its 0-6 loss at Avangard but ultimately fell to a fourth successive defeat.
That heavy defeat in Omsk saw goalie Julius Hudacek and skaters Adil Beketayev and Yegor Shalapov scratched as Barys looked to improve on some poor recent defensive play. From the very start, the visitor looked like a far more coherent team, winning its one-on-one battles and looking sharper all over the ice. The fast start was rewarded with goals from Linden Vey and Arkady Shestakov inside seven minutes.
For a time, Sibir seemed to have lost its way. Gradually, though, the home team got back into its game. Crucially, Nikita Korotkov managed to pull a goal back before the intermission, giving the host a vital psychological boost. Korotkov repeated the play that brought him a marker against Spartak and potted Sibir’s fifth short-handed goal of the season.
The start of the second period almost brought a sixth, with only the post denying Nikita Setdikov. Barys was struggling to generate any offense and eventually Sibir was able to tie the game on the power play. Alexander Sharov converted Vladimir Butuzov’s feed in the 33rd minute.
In the third period, Sibir scored two quick goals to take the game away from Barys. Vyacheslav Osnovin put the home team in front for the first time. Then Trevor Murphy struck in the 46th minute to make it 4-2. Murphy’s goal turned out to be the game-winner, despite Dinmukhamed Kaiyrzhan making a rare appearance on the ice to score a power play goal for Barys. Kaiyrzhan’s effort ensured a tight finish, but the visitor was unable to find an equalizer and continues its losing streak.
Karnaukhov goal gives CSKA the edge
CSKA Moscow 2 Dinamo Minsk 1 (0-0, 1-0, 1-1)
Dinamo made things tough for CSKA with an obdurate display in Moscow. However, the visitor lacked the firepower to hurt its in-form host and, despite battling hard, fell to a narrow loss.
The first incident of note came with Dinamo on the first power play of the game. A too many men call on CSKA offered welcome respite for the visitor after the Muscovites dominated the early exchanges. However, it almost led to a short-handed goal. Vladislav Kamenev forced a turnover on his own blue line and was through one-on-one with Konstantin Shostak. Sergei Sapego hooked the forward back as he shaped to shoot and the officials awarded a penalty shot. Kamenev took the shot himself, but Shostak stood his ground and made the save.
CSKA continued to dominate the game, outshooting Dinamo 13-4 in the first period. Part of the issue was Minsk’s willingness to try to play an open, attacking game of its own. All too often, this resulted in quick turnovers and the puck heading rapidly back towards Shostak’s net. In the middle frame, Craig Woodcroft’s team was more cautious and had just six attempts compared with 18 in the first. CSKA was not immediately able to take advantage of the territory that Dinamo ceded. However, a power play enabled Anton Slepyshev to break the deadlock at last in the 37th minute.
The defending champion faced problems early in the third after taking two penalties in a row. Dinamo, however, was unable to convert either power play. A Pavel Karnaukhov goal four minutes from the end gave CSKA a two-goal advantage. Minsk refused to give up, and reduced the deficit through Ryan Spooner on 57:38, ushering in a grandstand finale. However, the home team held on and made it nine wins on the spin.
