Kazakhs too strong for Sibir

Barys Astana 3 Sibir Novosibirsk 1 (0-0, 2-1, 1-0)

Following Friday’s loss to Metallurg at the Romazan Memorial, Barys rang the changes. New signings Jake Massie and Reilly Walsh formed the first defensive pair, another newcomer, Tyce Thompson, centered the second line alongside Kirill Savitsky and Dinmakhamed Kaiyrzhan. Ian McCoshen, yet another summer import, played on the second defensive line.

Sibir also switched things up, with a new top line of Vladimir Tkachyov flanked by Scott Wilson and Nikita Soshnikov. Anton Krasotkin got the start in goal.

The visitor was closest to opening the scoring in the first period. Vladislav Kara launched a dangerous attack down the right, Ilya Lyuzenkov seemed certain to convert the rebound, but Anton Shutov produced a spectacular diving stick save.

At the start of the second, Barys took control of the game with two quick goals. Ansar Shaikhmeddenov set up Savitsky for a power play tally, then 42 seconds later Massie doubled the lead. Sibir soon responded: two power plays in a row stretched Barys, yet it was in the brief gap between them that Wilson pulled one back.

After that, the game was even but Sibir could not find a way to tie the scores. Instead, Alikhan Asetov completed the win in the 59th minute. The teams meet again tomorrow to wrap up their summer schedule.