Late blow ruins Razin debut

20 October 2026

In Andrei Razin’s maiden game as SKA boss, our team suffered a slender 1:3 loss to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg as a result of two last-gasp conceded goals in Saint Petersburg.

Overtime looked to be on the cards in what turned out to be a hard-fought affair. However, with a little over a minute remaining on the clock, Maxim Tarasov struck the killer blow with an admittedly impressive goal.

The first period was a somewhat cautious affair.

With neither side willing to take any unnecessary risks, clear opportunities were few and far between. The first big chance fell Avtomobilist’s way, with Anatoly Golyshev backhanding wide of the gaping net.

SKA then came close themselves towards the end of the frame. Rocco Grimaldi should really have done better when suddenly finding himself through 1-on-1, wristing off target with only Evgeny Alikin in the Yekaterinburg net to beat.

The visitors made the breakthrough in virtually the first minute of the second period.

Familiar face Alexander Kadeikin was the man of the moment, just about beating the unfortunate Sergei Ivanov with a mishit attempt on a 2-on-1 counter.

Nonetheless, SKA responded well to that setback.

And, following a lengthy spell of pressure, our deserved equaliser arrived in the 31^st minute thanks to an unstoppable rocket from Vladislav Syomin.

Avtomobilist should then have restored their lead. However, Ivanov pulled off a superb glove save to deny the visibly forlorn Danil Gushchin.

Our goalkeeper had to make another smart stop moments later, too, standing his ground against the clean-through Alexander Barabanov.

The Yekaterinburg-based outfit boasted the majority of possession in the ensuing third stanza.

Rather exposed at times, Ivanov was being forced into a handful of challenging saves at close range, notably doing well to shut the door against Artyom Kashtanov and Barabanov on the slot.

Unfortunately for us, Avtomobilist did eventually grab the all-important second with Tarasov somehow – despite already being on his knees – hooking the puck up and over Ivanov with 01:13 left to play.

Ivanov was subsequently pulled for the extra skater, but that only resulted in Roman Gorbunov hitting the empty net.

SKA will now prepare to host Sibir Novosibirsk on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

SKA – Avtomobilist – 1:3 (0:0, 1:1, 0:2)

Goals:

0:1 Kadeikin (Gushchin), 21.03

1:1 Syomin (Korotky, Glotov), 30.44

1:2 Tarasov (Karpukhin, Vorobyov), 58.47

1:3 Gorbunov (Vorobyov), 59.27 EN

Goalkeepers: Ivanov – Alikin

Shots: 78 – 58

Shots on target: 28 – 34