Defending champ hits form — the KHL week in review
Sergei Fedorov’s CSKA has put its slow start to the season behind it and is marching up the table. At the other end, Sochi is hoping a new coach can solve its problems.
10 straight wins for CSKA
It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time earlier this season when there were doubts about CSKA’s form. All that is long forgotten, with Sergei Fedorov’s team on a real tear in the Western Conference. The Muscovites won their last 10 games, scoring 37 goals in the process. The unbeaten run dates back to Oct. 3 and lifts the team to second in the West. The last team to defeat CSKA was SKA St. Petersburg, which remains way out in front and is unbeaten in seven games.
CSKA gets closer to SKA in KHL Power Rankings after Week 8
Nazarov leaves Sochi
Andrei Nazarov became the second coaching casualty of the season when he was dismissed by HC Sochi. Nazarov, who took over at the Leopards after the team made a poor start to last season, was replaced by Sergei Svetlov. When Nazarov left, the club was adrift at the foot of the Western Conference with just three wins from 20 games. Svetlov’s first two games at the helm brought a 3-4 loss against Traktor and a 0-6 thrashing against CSKA.
Winning start for Murygin
Alexei Murygin left Neftekhimik earlier this season after failing to record a win in the four games he played with the Nizhnekamsk team. Soon, the goalie joined Kunlun Red Star, and duly picked up his first victory of the campaign in his debut for the Dragons. The opposition? Neftekhimik!
Sibir celebrates in style
Saturday’s home game against Severstal was Sibir’s 60th anniversary as a hockey club. The off-ice party clearly inspired Andrei Martemyanov’s team, which powered to a 5-1 victory. This anniversary season is shaping up to be a good one for the Siberians. At present, they are handily placed in the top four in the East and look capable of securing a favorable playoff draw.
Novosibirsk celebrates, Ufa extends streak. October 29 round-up
All-Star rosters complete
The remaining slots for the Fonbet 2022 KHL All-Star Game are filled. The league’s panel made the final choices, picking three players from each division. Two of the spots go to players from Traktor. Goalie Ilya Proskuryakov and defenseman Sergei Telegin will be on home ice when Chelyabinsk hosts the big event in December. Both will play in their first All-Star Game, along with six other rookies including Severstal’s Swedish D-man Robin Press and Salavat Yulaev blue liner Ryan Murphy.
Your choice is made! The first 16 Fonbet KHL All-Star Game participants
Journalists’ pick: another 12 players for Fonbet KHL All-Star Game rosters
League’s choice. Full rosters for the 2022 Fonbet KHL All-Star Game
Agidel tops Women’s League
After reeling off its 11th successive victory, Agidel Ufa moved to the top of the Women’s Hockey League on Sunday. A 4-0 success over Chelyabinsk also brought up a 20th career shut-out for Valeria Tarakanova. Meanwhile, defending champion KRS Shenzhen finally got its first win of the season. A 4-3 overtime verdict against Dynamo Neva got Scott Spencer’s team off the mark. Then, with forward Ryleigh Houston back from injury, the Dragons followed up with victory over 7.62 to claim a first regulation time verdict.
