KHL press office
exclusive for khl.ru
Moscow double-header adds intrigue to five-game KHL matchday
Sibir and Ak Bars renew their rivalry in the East before the action moves west, with Torpedo hosting Sochi and Severstal facing Avtomobilist. Moscow then takes center stage as Dynamo Moscow welcomes Dinamo Minsk and Spartak hosts Avangard, with five games promising plenty of drama and uncertain outcomes.
Only one game is scheduled in the East today, with Sibir facing Ak Bars. It will be the second meeting between the sides in the current campaign, with the Kazan club coming out on top in the first contest with an extra-time win (4-3 SO). After a few losses, Sibir returned to wins in its last game, in Sochi (5-1), on Monday, but it was only the second win for the club this season. Ak Bars is much higher in the Eastern Conference’s standings, although the team has only two wins in the last five games. The Kazan franchise lost to Metallurg (2-3 SO), Torpedo (2-3), and HC Sochi (2-3), defeating Salavat Yulaev (4-3 OT) and Lada (3-2 OT) – with both victories coming in extra-time.
The action then moves to the Western Conference. At the brand-new VOLGA Arena, Torpedo hosts HC Sochi. The Nizhny Novgorod side returned to win on Tuesday after a loss to CSKA (2-3) with a 5-1 thumping of Avangard, with Pavel Kraskovsky finding his first goal for Torpedo after moving in from Lokomotiv in the offseason. Despite the setback in the game against CSKA, the hosts are in good form with three wins in the latest five matches. The same can’t be said for HC Sochi. The Black Sea franchise is currently the last team in the league’s standings with just one win in six games, over Ak Bars on Sept. 18 (3-2). Most recently, Sochi lost at home to Sibir (1-5). The guests will try to bounce back, but Torpedo will equally seek a win as the team clash into an interesting matchup.
In the meantime, Severstal hosts Avtomobilist. After a severe goal draught, the Steelers finally found the back of the net in an away game against Amur on Monday (1-4), also returning to victory. It was the first win in four games for Severstal. On the other end of the ice, Avtomobilist is currently on a three-game losing streak. After a win in Novosibirsk almost two weeks ago (5-2), the Motormen lost to Avangard (2-3 OT), Dinamo Minsk (3-5), and the Shanghai Dragons (2-3). Avtomobilist is currently the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference’s standings and will be seeking points.
Then, two games are scheduled in Moscow. Dynamo Moscow hosts Dinamo Minsk as the clubs collide for the second time in the season. It was a hot game earlier in St. Petersburg, with the Muscovites coming out on top after extra-time (3-2 SO). Today, the Belarusians will seek revenge. After a rocky start, Dinamo Minsk has now two straight wins (4-1 over Sibir and 5-3 against Avtomobilist) and will be looking for a third consecutive victory. However, Dynamo Moscow will be a tough opponent for the Bison, despite the recent setbacks. After the two teams met in St. Petersburg, the Blue-and-Whites defeated Severstal (2-0) and Admiral (2-3), then lost to Amur (0-4) and Barys (1-4). It will be an exciting game at the VTB Arena.
In the other game in the Russian capital, Spartak hosts Avangard. After several wins in a row, the Muscovites stumbled into Salavat Yulaev (1-3), but they still have a very good record and are in second place in the Western Conference’s standings. The Hawks are instead in a worse position. After a two-game winning streak over Metallurg (3-2) and Avtomobilist (3-2 again), injury-plagued Avangard lost three straight matches to Lokomotiv (1-2), Traktor (1-2), and Torpedo (1-5). With both teams seeking a reaction after recent misfortunes, the crowd at the Megasport Arena will be treated to a very exciting matchup. Historically, Avangard dominates the series, with 22 wins against 12. But today, it won’t count. After the game, the Hawks will fly back to Omsk, where they will play the next couple of matches.
15:30: Sibir (2-4-1) vs Ak Bars (5-2-1)
About the game
Sibir starts a two-game home series after a road win in Sochi (5-1).
Ak Bars, who defeated Sibir earlier in the season (4-3 SO), starts a two-match road trip following two straight losses.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Nikita Lyamkin had an assist in each of his previous four matches.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Albert Yarullin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that stretch.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s forward Stepan Nikulin may reach 100 career points (currently at 98).
Sibir’s goalie Anton Krasotkin may line up for his 300th league appearance.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexei Byvaltsev lines up for his 700th game in the KHL.
19:00: Torpedo (5-2-0) vs HC Sochi (1-5-0)
About the game
Torpedo enters the fourth game of a five-match home series following a win over Avangard on Tuesday (5-1).
HC Sochi starts a three-game road trip after losing to Sibir on Sunday (1-5).
Torpedo’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points over that stretch.
Torpedo’s forward Daniil Seroukh had at least one goal in his last four matches, totaling seven tallies.
Torpedo’s forward Pavel Kraskovsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Torpedo: Matvei Polyakov, Nikita Shavin.
HC Sochi: Timur Khafizov.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov lines up for his 300th league appearance.
Torpedo’s forward Amir Garayev may score his 100th point in the KHL (currently at 99).
19:00: Severstal (2-4-1) vs Avtomobilist (2-3-2)
About the game
Severstal starts a four-game home series fresh off a win over Amur on Monday (4-1).
Avtomobilist enters the sixth game of a seven-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexander Sharov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that stretch.
Avtomobilist’s forward Adam Ruzicka had at least an assist in each of his previous four matches, totaling five helpers.
Avtomobilist’s forward Daniel Sprong is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Severstal: Nikolai Burenov, Adam Liska.
Avtomobilist: Nikita Shashkov.
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (4-4-0) vs Dinamo Minsk (2-1-3)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow, who defeated Dinamo Minsk earlier in the season (3:2 SO), enters the second game of a five-match home series on a two-game losing streak.
Dinamo Minsk starts a two-game road trip following two straight wins.
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Ty Smith had at least an assist in each of his previous six matches, totaling eight helpers.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that stretch.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Yegor Rimashevsky, Nikita Tertyshny.
Dinamo Minsk: Alex Limoges, Nicholas Meloche.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Maxim Motorygin may record his 10th career shutout.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may reach 40 career shutouts.
Dinamo Minsk may celebrate its 500th win in the KHL.
19:30: Spartak (5-2-0) vs Avangard (3-4-0)
About the game
Spartak starts a five-game home series following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Sunday (1-3).
Avangard wraps up a four-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
Injury list
Spartak: Maxime Comtois, Alex Galchenyuk, Nikita Kholodilin.
Avangard: Maxim Lajoie, Pavel Leuka, Michael McLeod, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Damir Sharipzyanov, Alexander Volkov.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s forward Alexander Belyayev lines up for his 200th league appearance.
