SKA star wears ‘C’, Loko wins in Omsk
Evgeny Kuznetsov is back to doing what he does: winning hockey games and leading teams. While he was making his first appearances in Petersburg, Lokomotiv was securing victory in the Blinov Cup. All this and more in the latest review of the week.
Kuznetsov makes SKA debut
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s return to Russia was one of the top stories of the summer. Last week, fans in Petersburg saw him on the ice for the first time at the Puchkov Tournament. He captained SKA against HC Sochi and played a big part in a lively attacking performance that fired 67 shots at Sergei Ivanov. However, the Leopards’ goalie, a former SKA man, stopped 66 of them and took the game to a shoot-out. That’s when Kuznetsov came to the fore, converting both his attempts to claim the win for his new club. A couple of days later, the 31-year-old was at it again, finding the net in another shoot-out to help defeat Ak Bars.
SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg explained the decision to make Kuznetsov his captain.
Kuznetsov snatches victory on SKA debut
“He deserves it. He brought the team together through his attitude to the job. We’re working to get Zhenya back to being one of the best players in the world. We have leaders and that’s great. We’re strengthening our team spirit, making the team more supportive, so it will strive for victory in every game.”
Contrasting fortunes for Red Star
The Puchkov Tournament continues in Petersburg, but one of the talking points has been Kunlun Red Star’s unpredictable form. The Dragons surprised everyone with a 7-1 thrashing of Russia U23 on Saturday, recording one of the club’s biggest ever victories. But from seventh heaven, it was the seventh circle of hell for Mikhail Kravets’ team just a day later when it allowed seven goals against Severstal in a heavy loss. Like many teams with extensive roster changes this summer, it seems Red Star will take some time to achieve consistency in the new season.
Dragons burn Russia’s juniors, Traktor wins again
Lokomotiv triumphs in Omsk
The Blinov Cup went to Lokomotiv after Igor Nikitin’s team completed the tournament with three wins and an OT loss. Along the way, Alexander Radulov got his first goal for his new club, tying the game in the clinching success against Barys. But another forward, 19-year-old Daniil But, also caught the eye for the Railwaymen with two goals and two helpers through four games.
“[But] gets our trust, he’s earned through his work and his attitude,” said head coach Nikitin.
“And you can’t fool partners as experienced as Radulov and [Byron] Froese. They can see that the guy gives his all and battles for the team.”
Barys adds two more
At the same tournament, Barys Astana had a tough time. The Kazakhs could not win a game and trailed in last. That means more reinforcements on the way: during the week the club acquired forward Anton Burdasov and defenseman Viktor Antipin. Both featured for Traktor last season. Burdasov was a surprise cut from the team, apparently in a bid to free up cap space this summer, after contributing 44 points in 70 games. Antipin had 69 appearances with five goals and 15 assists. Both players have more than 700 KHL appearances.
Coming up
It’s the last week of pre-season, and that means three more tournaments. The Romazan Memorial is back in Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg welcomes Neftekhimik, Salavat Yulaev and the club’s newly-established VHL team Magnitka. Last season, this summer mainstay had to be postponed due to work at Magnitogorsk’s airport, so it’s great to have it back. In nearby Chelyabinsk, Traktor hosts the Governor’s Cup with Lada, Amur and Ugra (VHL) providing the opposition. And the Mayor of Moscow Cup completes the schedule. This six-team event features Dynamo, CSKA, Spartak, Vityaz, Torpedo and Avtomobilist, with the placement games set for Sep. 1.
