Rodewald shoots down CSKA. September 10 round-up

The Dragons moved back to the top of the fledgling KHL standings after edging an overtime verdict over CSKA. The defending champion lost twice at Red Star last season after going to OT, and the Mytishchi hoodoo struck again in Sunday’s only game.

Kunlun Red Star 3 CSKA Moscow 2 OT (0-1, 1-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Jack Rodewald, who scored Kunlun’s consolation goal in Friday’s loss in Kazan, was the home hero. He scored twice, including the winner. CSKA got an early lead thanks to Pavel Karnaukhov, but could not build on that.

That opener came on three minutes as Karnaukhov took a feed from Mikhail Grigorenko and squeezed a shot into the top corner. That separated the teams at the intermission, with the Muscovites seemingly in control of the play.

However, in the second period Red Star tied the game. Midway through the session the home team got its second power play of the afternoon. Brandon Yip redirected a Spencer Foo shot into the net. And the middle frame was more evenly matched; CSKA edged the shot count, but was helped by a couple of late power plays.

In the third, another home PP saw Red Star take the lead. This time Ryan Merkley was the architect and his advance to the face-off circle enabled him to set up Rodewald for his first of the game. CSKA responded thanks to Nikita Nesterov with eight minutes to play, and that sent the game into overtime.

Sergei Fedorov reprised his preferred tactic from last season, removing Ivan Fedotov from his net and playing four-on-three in the extras. This time, though, the plan backfired. Red Star regained possession and Rodewald sent the puck into the empty net.

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