Sochi, Minsk celebrate first wins, Loko stays unbeaten. September 18 round-up

The Leopards shocked Ak Bars with a 3-2 win to give Sochi its first win of the season. Dinamo Minsk had similar cause for celebration after beating Sibir 4-1. For head coaches Andrei Mironov and Sergei Brylin, these were their first wins in the KHL. Dmitry Kvartalnov has more wins than anyone else, and he added another today as a 2-1 verdict maintained Lokomotiv’s unbeaten start to its title defense. Spartak reeled off a fifth straight success, but Neftekhimik stumbled in Ufa after climbing to the top of the Eastern Conference. Metallurg blanked free-scoring Barys and CSKA won 3-2 at Torpedo.

Freescoring Barys silenced by Smolin

Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3 Barys Astana 0 (3-0, 0-0, 0-0)

The KHL’s top-scoring team was blanked for the first time this season. Barys had 24 goals from four games but could not add to that tally in Magnitogorsk.
Instead, Metallurg ended its run of two defeats. Andrei Razin recalled Vladislav Provolnev, Alexander Siryatsky and Makar Khabarov to the team, while Alexander Smolin replaced Yegor Zavragin in goal.

Those changes paid off. Khabarov had an instant impact, with a goal and an assist inside three minutes. The defenseman opened the scoring with a point shot, ending Hunter Shepard’s shut-out streak at just under 90 minutes. It took just 18 seconds for him to collect a secondary assist after Nikita Korotkov set up Yegor Korobkin to double the lead.

The start got even better midway through the frame when another defensive lapse set up a third Magnitka goal. Sergei Tolchinsky picked out a smart pass through the gap to release Nikita Mikhailis for the third goal of the game. Shepard made way for Andrei Shutov as Barys tried to stem the flow.

That change was somewhat successful for Barys: the remaining 50 minutes brought no further goals. However, the Kazakh offense was found wanting.

Even when Artyom Minulin got a major penalty, and Valery Orekhov followed him to the box to give the visitor a five-on-three power play, the visitor could not take advantage. There were chances, with Justin Bailey and Tyce Thompson going close. But Smolin kept them at bay, finished with 26 saves and his first shut-out of the season.

High-flying Neftekhimik halted in Ufa

Salavat Yulaev Ufa 2 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 0 (1-0, 0-0, 1-0)

Neftekhimik arrived in Ufa on top of the Eastern Conference. Salavat Yulaev was looking to recover after back-to-back losses. The home team made one change, with Maxim Kuznetsov ill and replaced by Artyom Nabiyev. The Wolves were unchanged from the 3-0 win at Sibir.

In the first period, Salavat Yulaev was the more active. For the most part, the home team had the game under control, with Neftekhimik limited to a breakaway chance after Matthew Maggio’s misjudgement enabled Rafael Bikmullin and Damir Zhafyarov to get an odd-man rush.

It wasn’t long before Ufa got in front. Nikita Zorkin, who had a good record against Neftekhimik last season, thundered in a slap shot after six minutes to open the scoring. A few shifts later, Alexander Zharovsky thought he had doubled the lead after neatly beating Filipp Dolganov. However, a bench challenge found he was offside and the goal was called back.

Salavat Yulaev had a great chance to extend its lead after Matvei Nadvorny was assessed a major penalty for elbowing Devin Brosseau. But Sheldon Rempal and Vadim Shipachyov were unable to create clear chances on the power play. The visiting PK worked hard to run down the clock and keep it a one-goal game.

In the third period, Yaroslav Tsulygin was the latest player to go close to extending the lead when he fired against the crossbar. Neftekhimik continued to play on the back foot and wait for an error, which never really came. Instead, penalty trouble undermined the visitor: Jack Rodewald scored on the power play midway through the third, getting the finishing touch to Alexander Alexeyev’s wrister to give Ufa an unassailable lead.

Five straight wins for Spartak

Traktor Chelyabinsk 1 Spartak Moscow 3 (0-1, 0-0, 1-2)

While Traktor struggles to find the winning formula under head coach Scott Gordon, Alexei Zhamnov’s Spartak rolls on.

Gordon has had just one win in his first four games in the KHL. Today he restored Sergei Telegin to the defense ahead of Andrei Pribylsky, as well as reshuffling his offensive lines. Henrik Haukeland got the start in goal. Spartak replaced Nikita Kholodilin with Sergei Lukyantsev and named 17-year-old Evgeny Yakunin as 13th forward.

Traktor made a solid start to the game and created chances for Nathan Legare and Mikhail Grigorenko. The best opportunity fell to Yaroslav Fedoseyev, but nobody could take advantage. At the other end, Spartak struck when Daniil Orlov converted a counterattack to claim his first goal of the season.

The second period again saw Traktor keep the opposition penned into its own zone. Alexander Rykov had three scoring chances. However, imports BorisKatchouk and Legare had a combined seven minutes of penalties; fortunately their team-mates defended well on the penalty kill.

In the third period Legare atoned for his major penalty with a tying goal as he pounced on a rebound after good work from Ivan Vydrenkov created the chance. However, it wasn’t long before Spartak got back in front when Daniil Gutik scored off another counterattack. There was another goal for the visitor, but this was ruled out for offside. At the other end, Grigory Dronov thought he had tied the game in the last minute; that effort, two, was chalked off, this time for interference on the goalie. Daniil Pivchulin’s empty-netter sealed the win as Spartak’s strong start continues.

Minsk wins at last

Dinamo Minsk 4 Sibir Novosibirsk 1 (0-0, 3-0, 1-1)

Sergei Brylin celebrated his first win as Dinamo Minsk head coach after an assured performance at home to Sibir. Although the Bison lost their first four games, three of those losses came after ties through 60 minutes. Today’s opponent, Sibir, arrived with its own problems after losing four out of five.

Dinamo was missing the injured Sam Anas, Vasily Demchenko started in goal and Rhett Gardner made his debut up front after recovering from injury. Sibir brought back Yegor Alanov, Arkhip Nekolenko and Alexander Pershakov.

Both teams had everything to play for and made a lively start. The opening stanza was fast-paced and entertaining as the initiative changed from side to side. The teams favored a fast, counterattacking style. Dinamo had more shots, but perhaps the best chance went unconverted when Sibir got a two-on-one rush. Both goalies did well to ensure the game was scoreless at the first intermission.

The game changed in the second, as Dinamo opened a 3-0 lead. In the 25th minute, Sibir’s players were under no pressure, but fumbled the puck behind their own net and Sergei Kalinin punished that lapse. The play remained fairly open until Evgeny Kuznetsov was assessed a roughing minor late in the session. Dinamo has the best power play in the league so far this season and Daniil Lipsky converted the chance. Barely a minute later, Nicolas Aube-Kubel added a third, leaving Sibir with a long road back in the third.

Dinamo continued to press in that final frame and Aube-Kubel got his second of the night in the 47th minute. Sibir kept working and got some reward in the closing stages: Darren Dietz’s consolation goal robbed Demchenko of a shut-out and ended his team’s long wait for a goal after a shut-out loss in its previous game. But the celebrations belonged to Dinamo and Brylin after a first win of the season.

Serebryakov impresses, but Loko comes out on top

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 Avangard Omsk 1 (1-0, 1-1, 0-0)

The defending champion’s unbeaten start to the season continued with a narrow win over Avangard, a team it has beaten in both of its successful playoff campaigns.

The home team was largely unchanged from its win at Traktor, with goalie Daniil Isayev the only change in personnel. Guy Boucher also named an unchanged roster following Avangard’s battling OT win against Avtomobilist.

The Hawks made a bright start. The visitor did not create a huge number of chances, but they retained possession and kept Isayev alert. As the first power break approached, Loko began to move play away from its net and shortly after the pause, opened the scoring. A home power play saw Alexander Radulov get clean through and beat Nikita Serebryakov. Isayev collected an assist on that play, while Rushan Rafikov’s defense-splitting pass released Radulov on goal. The home team continued to press, and Serebryakov was impressive as the last line of defense as Loko outshot Avangard 14-7 in the first.

Boucher refreshed his lines during the intermission. It’s hard to say if this made the difference, but Avangard quickly tied the game in the second. Konstantin Okulov fired in the puck from the boards, the puck dropped to the slot and Josh Leivo put it away. It was notable that Avangard had a great attitude in the second period, offering greater movement and a stronger physical presence. But allowing a goal jolted Lokomotiv. The home team continued to create a host of chances, only to founder against Serebryakov’s resistance. Late in the frame, the breakthrough came – and from an unlikely source.

Artyom Kuzin notched his first KHL goal, beating last season’s top goalie to restore the Railwaymen’s lead.

Lokomotiv began the third in search of another goal. The home team got straight onto the power play and created a raft of chances, only for Serebryakov to keep that door firmly closed. Avangard survived, but never really managed to revive its offense. As the end approached, Boucher called a time-out and sacrificed Serebryakov for a sixth skater. Even that could not produce another goal as Dmitry Kvartalnov’s team preserved its winning start.

Sochi stuns Ak Bars for first win

HC Sochi 3 Ak Bars Kazan 2 (1-1, 1-1, 1-0)

Denis Vengryzhanovsky’s name might not easily fit into a chant, but Sochi’s fans were singing his praises after his goal sealed their team’s first win of the season.

He struck midway through the third period, restoring the Leopards’ lead for a third time in the game – and this one was enough to secure a 3-2 verdict.

Ak Bars, which returned to winning ways in fine style, coming from 0-3 down to win the Green Derby in Ufa, suffered an unexpected stumble on the road.

Friday’s win was a reward for Andrei Mironov, who responded to the 0-4 home loss against CSKA with a raft of changes. Every combination was reshaped; only young goalie Pyotr Andreyanov’s role remained unchanged as he started once again.

Ak Bars made fewer changes. Kevin Hayes was elevated to the first line alongside Artyom Galimov and Kirill Semyonov, while Alexander Chmelevski and Semyon Terekhov missed out.

The first period was lively. The teams started at a fast tempo with the visitor doing the early attacking. Andreyanov performed well under pressure, and his team-mates responded with some dangerous counter plays. That led to the opening goal when a turnover helped Maxim Korostelyov beat Timur Bilyalov to claim his first KHL goal. Ak Bars responded almost immediately through Nikita Dynyak, and the game was tied at the first intermission.

It was tied after 40 minutes as well. When Sochi got the first power play of the night, it needed just 20 seconds for Cam Lee to make it 2-1. This time, Ak Bars struggled to get back on level terms. However, a PP for the visitor brought a tying goal five seconds before the hooter; Galimov was the scorer.

The decisive moment came midway through the third: Vengryzhanovsky, Sochi’s scoring leader this season, was helped by an awkward bounce as he got the puck behind Bilyalov to earn his team its first win of the season.

CSKA sinks Torpedo again

Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 2 CSKA Moscow 3 (0-1, 1-1, 1-1)

After the excitement of a winning start at the new VOLGA Arena, Torpedo came back down to earth. CSKA had already beaten Alexei Isakov’s men 3-0 at the start of the season, and tonight brought victory number two.

The teams began cautiously. For a long time, they focused on defensive shape and neglected their attacking options. CSKA tried to use a strong forecheck to keep Torpedo away from the danger zone, while the home team enjoyed plenty of possession but rarely got across half way.

The opening goal came midway through the first period. CSKA’s first prolonged attack saw Nikolai Kovalenko bring the puck out of the corner before firing through traffic to beat the unsighted Denis Kostin. After falling behind, Torpedo took the initiative, not least due to CSKA easing off on that forecheck. The host came close to tying the game more than once, but Alexander Samonov preserved the visitor’s lead.

After the intermission, CSKA switched to a counterattacking game and doubled its lead in the 28th minute. Catching Torpedo on a line change, the Muscovites forced a three-on-two rush: Pavel Karnaukhov came down the wing and fired a shot into Kostin’s pads, which bounced into the path of Derek Barach to make it 2-0.

The American was indirectly responsible for Torpedo’s first goal on CSKA this season, taking a delay of game penalty a couple of minutes later. The power play brought a goal for Daniil Seroukh, who found the net for the third game in a row. As the middle frame wore on, tempers frayed and there were frequent scuffles and penalties to break up the play. Torpedo almost tied it up playing four-on-three, but lacked composure in front of goal.

There were more skirmishes either side of the intermission, and Barach tangled with Yegor Vinogradov even before the third period got underway. Torpedo’s efforts to tie the game put Samonov under increased pressure, but it was a rare attack from the visitor that brought the next goal in the 52nd minute. Yegor Zamula scored his first of the season with an unstoppable shot to the top shelf. Torpedo got a chance to recover with a power play a few minutes later and, once again, the special teams came up trumps. Isakov gambled on playing six-on-four and Seroukh got his second of the game after Pavel Kraskovsky’s effort was blocked.

The remaining four minutes were played in front of Samonov’s net. Torpedo had chances to force overtime, but the visitor held on to take the win.