Two each for Radulov, Sharipzyanov, Kotlyarevsky

Day two of the Blinov Cup began in Omsk with Alexander Radulov leading Lokomotiv to victory over Sibir. Then, in the evening, Avangard beat Neftekhimik 6-3 to go top of the early standings.

Hawks hit the heights against Neftekhimik

Avangard Omsk 6 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 3 (2-1, 2-1, 2-1)

The home team, forced into overtime yesterday against Sibir, made a fast start to this game and opened the scoring inside two minutes. Nail Yakupov reacted fastest to a rebound, beating Filipp Dolganov to open the scoring.

Neftekhimik, playing its first game in the tournament, looked to get back on level terms. Several promising attacks culminated in a power play, and Andrei Belozyorov stuffed home the tying goal.

After that, Dolganov had to be at his best to deny Konstantin Okulov and Alexander Volkov. However, he could do nothing to stop Damir Sharipzyanov – the game-winner yesterday – from restoring the Hawks’ lead.

The second period began with another quick home goal. Mikhail Kotlyarevsky found the net just 17 seconds after the restart when a bounce off the boards set him up perfectly. Once again, Neftekhimik sought to get back into the game and Andrei Mishurov was again kept busy in the home net. Midway through the session, pressure brought a goal from defenseman Luka Profaca, who beat the goalie from a tight angle.

That inspired the Wolves to step up their offense and it wasn’t long before Neftekhimik had another power play. Later, the visitor enjoyed a two-man advantage, but still could not find a tying goal. And late in the frame, Sharipzyanov’s second of the night made it 4-2 at the second intermission.

Another fast start to a period saw Kotlyarevsky join Sharipzyanov on two goals when he combined with Vasily Ponomarev to finish off an odd-man rush on 42:04. Raul Yakupov joined his cousin on the scoresheet to pull a goal back for Neftekhimik in the 49th minute, but there was no stopping Avangard. With five to play, Marsel Ibragimov completed the scoring in a 6-3 win for the Hawks. 

Radulov leads Loko to victory

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 4 Sibir Novosibirsk 1 (2-1, 1-0, 1-0)

Two goals from Alexander Radulov helped Lokomotiv to victory over Sibir as Bob Hartley’s team bounced back from an opening day loss to Severstal.

Radulov was joined by Byron Froese and Martin Gernat as Hartley strengthened his line-up from the opening game. Sibir also made changes, with experienced forward Sergei Shirokov and new goalie Louis Domingue sitting this one out. Anton Krasotkin got the nod between the piping.

Radulov was involved from the start, but his first contribution was less than ideal. A penalty on his first shift handed the initiative to Sibir. Although the PK did its job, the momentum remained with Vadim Yepanchintsev’s team and Nikita Soshnikov potted the opening goal after six minutes.

But the lead was short-lived. Radulov tied the scores two minutes later with a solo effort and Lokomotiv began to strangle the life out of the opposition. Pressure brought its reward with a goal for Alexander Yelesin and the 2-1 lead might have been ever greater before the intermission.

The middle frame began with Radulov on target again and subsequently the tempo dropped. Lokomotiv was happy to play to the scoreline, while Sibir was unable to unset the Railwaymen’s defense.

There was another fast start to the third period. First, Andrei Sergeyev finished off a passing play to make it 4-1. Next, Radulov thought he had his hat-trick after scoring from the slot. Sibir challenged the play, and the review found interference on Krasotkin. No goal.

Nonetheless, there was little danger for Lokomotiv in the closing stages. The KHL’s current champion easily closed out the win.