Avoidable OT loss in Mytishchi

4 November 2024

SKA conceded their first defeat in history against Kunlun Red Star away from Saint Petersburg, suffering an avoidable 1:2 overtime loss in Mytishchi in the 2024/2025 KHL regular season.

Despite dominating for long periods and registering a grand total of 41 shots on target, our players failed to find a way past impressive Kunlun goaltender Jeremy Smith and were punished for a cheap penalty taken by Evgeny Kuznetsov in the extra frame.

The fired-up hosts broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, with Hudson Elynuik getting the better of season debutant Pavel Moisevich on the counter-attack.

Nevertheless, even though he ended up conceding twice, Moisevich produced a rock-solid performance in our net and played a huge role in the fact that SKA did at least tally a point.

Following a lengthy spell of pressure, SKA eventually got back on level terms in the closing stages of the second stanza, as young defenseman Ivan Vydrenkov completed a flowing passing play at close range to score his maiden KHL goal.

Both teams – especially SKA – wasted good opportunities in the ensuing third frame. Admittedly, Kunlun did then have the better of overtime and carved open the best chances, but a shootout was looming until Chartier tapped past the stricken Moisevich after Kuznetsov had committed holding.

SKA will now prepare to host Sochi in Saint Petersburg on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

Kunlun Red Star – SKA – 2:1 OT (1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Elynuik (Lockhart), 07.01

1:1 Vydrenkov (Vorobyov, Khairullin), 36.38

2:1 Chartier (Merkley, O’Regan), 63.07 PPG

Goalkeepers: Smith – Moisevich

Shots: 54 – 72

Shots on target: 33 – 41

Faceoffs: 30 – 33

Blocked shots: 17 – 11