Razin’s SKA struggles, Shafranov’s Metallurg wins again. October 27 round-up

Andrei Razin’s tough start at SKA continued with a dramatic 3-4 loss at home to Torpedo. Meanwhile, his former club Metallurg continues to thrive: an overtime win at Neftkehimik continues Konstantin Shafranov’s winning start behind the bench. Sochi made it three straight wins with a 2-1 verdict at Salavat Yulaev, lifting the team further clear of Lada, beaten 1-3 by Admiral.

Sochi’s bounce continues

Salavat Yulaev Ufa 1 HC Sochi 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)

Sochi recorded a third straight win, and its second over Salavat Yulaev this season. Denis Vengryzhanovsky, the Leopards’ leading goal scorer this term, potted the decisive goal.

The visitor had to cope without head coach Andrei Mironov, who has been called up to Russia’s Juniors and will be away from Sochi for a time. His assistant, Evgeny Saldybin, stepped up on an interim basis to replace him.

Salavat Yulaev made several changes following its Green Derby loss against Ak Bars. A new-look top line brought together Sheldon Rempal, Vadim Shipachyov and Danil Alalykin, while Alexander Zharovsky was reunited with Maxim Zagrebin and Matthew Maggio.

In the first period the home team had more of the game but, not for the first time, its finishing left something to be desired. Even two power play chances came to nothing, with Sochi well prepared for what to expect. The Leopards, meanwhile, created few chances but made the most of them, getting in front on Artur Gizdatullin’s opener.

The visitor got its first power play seven seconds before the intermission, and after the break Vengryzhanovsky converted it to double the lead. That was his 10th goal of the season. Moments later, the crossbar denied Dmitry Kagarlitsky a third goal. The home team took some confidence from that reprieve and Zagrebin pulled one back midway through the session, beating Damir Shaymardanov from close range. But Sochi still threatened on the counter, and it took a double save from Semyon Vyazovoi to deny Nikita Gusev a first of the season.

The third period was affected by injuries, with Sochi losing Matvei Guskov and Alexander Khokhlachyov. Even the officials weren’t immune: referee Evgeny Kochetov took a nasty blow to the knee after a Kagarlitsky shot. Amid the stoppages, Ufa could not get its game going, and plans for a final surge were scuppered by a penalty for Nikita Zorkin. Sochi held on to move further away from the basement with a third successive victory.

Admiral adds to Togliatti’s troubles

Lada Togliatti 1 Admiral Vladivostok 3 (0-0, 0-1, 1-2)

After dropping to the foot of the KHL standings, Lada called Vyacheslav Osnovin into the team for the first time this season after he signed a try-out contract in Togliatti. Danila Ovcharik, 21, got the start in goal for the first time this season. Admiral, beaten 0-3 at Amur last time out, brought back Konstantin Luchevnikov, Yegor Chezganov and Danial Usmanov.

Scoring has been a problem for Lada throughout the season, and that was an issue again in tonight’s first period. The Motormen outshot the Sailors 9-4, Nikolai Makarov hit the post, but it was goalless after 20 minutes.

Nikita Boyarkin was busy in the Admiral net again after the intermission with several key saves, including a big one from Andrei Altybarmakyan. However, there were good chances on the counter for the visitor, and an inch-perfect shot from Alexander Volkov gave the Sailors a 1-0 lead.

Lada got the first power play of the game at the start of the third but could not capitalize on the opportunity. Then another counter saw Borna Rendulic make it 2-0 in the 47th minute after some great work from Anthony Camara. Lada found a quick reply through Ben King,  but could do no more; Ivan Muranov’s empty-netter finished the job for Admiral.

Late drama costs SKA

SKA St. Petersburg 3 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 4 (1-1, 0-2, 2-1)

It’s three losses from four for Andrei Razin at SKA after Torpedo took the verdict in Tuesday’s battle.

But the home team thought it had saved the game when it rallied from 1-3 to tie the scores on 59:15.

Matvei Korotky’s goal came 45 seconds before the hooter, and overtime seemed inevitable. But on 59:46, Yegor Vinogradov struck at the other end to win it for the visitor.

Earlier, Vinogradov opened the scoring in the 15th minute, converting Torpedo’s second power play of the night. But a five-on-three PP for SKA saw Korotky tie the game on 17:46 and remained level through 20 minutes.

Penalties continued to shape the story in the middle frame: Daniil Seroukh restored Torpedo’s lead on the power play after Andrei Pedan sat for a cross check. Then the visitor killed Scooter Brickie’s penalty before Viktor Fyodorov made it 3-1.

When SKA got a power play midway through the final frame, Razin played six-on-four and saw Danil Aimurzin bring the game back to life. The pressure continued, and with goalie Artemy Pleshkov back on the bench, Korotky’s second of the night looked like the saving goal.

But Vinogradov had other ideas, matching his rival’s two-goal haul to grab the win.

Shafranov’s Magnitka wins again

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk 2 Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3 OT (0-1, 0-1, 2-0, 0-1)

Metallurg blew a 2-0 lead in the third period of its trip to Nizhnekamsk, but recovered to win it on an OT goal from Nikita Mikhailis. He combined neatly with Vladimir Tkachyov to unpick the home defense and secure Magnitka’s second win of the season over the Wolves.

But this was rather closer than the 6-2 verdict on home ice back in September. Neftekhimik might have got up early on when Grigory Seleznyov had a great chance but could not beat Alexander Smolin. Instead, the opener went to Tkachyov late in the frame.

Metallurg began the second period on the power play but could not convert. At equal strength, both teams had chances and Smolin made a memorable save while lying on the ice with his back to the opposition. However, the next goal went to the visitor when Daniil Vovchenko struck on the PP.

Neftekhimik needed a fast start to the third, and got it thanks to a goal from Vladislav Yeryomenko. He took possession in center ice and advanced to beat Smolin at last. The scorer then turned provider for the tying goal: his shot was redirected home by Semyon Rukhckin. In the closing stages, a series of Metallurg power plays put pressure on Filipp Dolganov in the home net, but the game went to overtime.

Those extras saw chances at both ends, but Metallurg had the final say, consolidating its position at the top of the standings and continuing Konstantin Shafranov’s winning start behind the bench.