Lokomotiv - SKA - 1:0

In a typically tight, tactical duel against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl away in the 2022/2023 KHL regular season, SKA conceded a slender 0:1 loss.

Very few chances were witnessed during a first period which didn't contain many openings. On the powerplay, Nikita Gusev had one excellent opportunity, but his goalbound attempt was pushed wide at full stretch by Lokomotiv goaltender Daniil Isaev.

The cautious manner of proceedings continued in the second stanza.

As the game progressed, Lokomotiv did manage to gradually take the initiative, testing our goaltender Dmitry Nikolaev on a regular basis.

The decisive moment of the match arrived with a mere 17 seconds remaining in the second stanza.

Completely unmarked on the left faceoff circle, Alexander Polunin managed to whip his instant effort over Nikolaev after the puck had fallen at his stick thanks to a wicked ricochet.

SKA immediately gave themselves a mountain to climb at the start of the third period, as forward Andrei Altybarmakyan received a five-minute penalty for boarding.

To their credit, our players managed to successfully deal with Lokomotiv's extended powerplay. At the end of the PK, Andrei Pedan was presented with a glorious chance to equalise for SKA, but he failed to unleash a clean shot when 1-on-1 as a consequence of Lokomotiv forward Maxim Shalunov committing slashing against him.

Lokomotiv spent the rest of the frame on the front foot, tallying 11 shots on target in comparison to our five. In the concluding two minutes, SKA did pull the impressive Nikolaev in favour of the extra skater, but Isaev and Lokomotiv held firm.

SKA will now prepare to host Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in Saint Petersburg on Monday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

Lokomotiv - SKA - 1:0 (0:0, 1:0, 0:0)

Goals:

1:0 Polunin (Kraskovsky, Elesin), 39.43

Goalkeepers: Isaev - Nikolaev

Shots: 65 - 48

Shots on target: 32 - 20

Faceoffs: 42 - 18

Hits: 21 - 40

Blocked shots: 15 - 22

Penalty minutes: 6 - 11

Referees: Sidorenko, Yudakov

Linesmen: Polyakov, Ponamarenko

27.01.2023.