Pre-season action starts with Neftekhimik win

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 3 Chelny (VHL) 0 (0-0, 2-0, 1-0)

Igor Grishin’s first engagement as head coach of Neftekhimik saw him run the rule over the club’s reserves in a warm-up game against VHL opposition. KHL rules mean that players with one-way contracts in the league cannot get involved until August 1, so this was a roster comprised of players from Izhstal (VHL) and Reaktor (JHL).

There were new faces on display as well: defenseman Artyom Kudashov on loan from Dynamo Moscow, plus Danila Kvartalnov, Matvei Nadvorny and Nikita Popugayev, each signed from VHL clubs. Popugayev is not to be confused with his namesake, who played for Lada last season. That group formed the starting line-up, with another newcomer, triallist Arsen Khisamutdinov, also on Sunday’s roster.

The game saw the Wolves on top from the start, but Chelny defended bravely and the first period ended goalless. Early in the second, the visitor ran into penalty trouble and Timur Khairullin opened the scoring with a power play goal. Sevastyan Sokolov soon doubled the lead, although after that Chelny stepped up its game and outshot the home team. Goalie Semyon Lyubalin had some work to do to secure his shut-out before Nadvorny’s empty-netter sealed a 3-0 verdict.