Metallurg Magnitogorsk - SKA

Metallurg Magnitogorsk - SKA - 3:2

7 February 2023

Despite a spirited third-period comeback, SKA conceded a slender 2:3 loss to Metallurg Magnitogorsk on the road in the 2022/2023 KHL regular season.

The hosts opened up a two-goal lead with a couple of quickfire markers midway through the first period. Grigory Dronov hit the jackpot from a tight angle, before Semyon Koshelev's low wrister just had enough power to sneak between Vladislav Podyapolsky's pads.

That goal resulted in the SKA coaching staff pulling Podyapolsky in favour of Dmitry Nikolaev.

With Magnitogorsk dominating and apply heavy pressure on SKA, Nikolaev had to make a series of difficult saves at close range to keep our team in the game. However, he was powerless in the second minute of the second stanza with Metallurg on the powerplay, as Philippe Maillet aimed his effort into the gaping right corner when unmarked.

Backed into a corner, SKA emerged with all guns blazing in the third period.

Marat Khairullin got our team on the board with a deflected wrist shot from distance. Moments later, Igor Ozhiganov brought the deficit back down to one, pouncing on the loose puck on the doorstep.

SKA were firmly back in the match. Nevertheless, despite being gifted with two great opportunities to draw level on the powerplay, our players couldn't beat Magnitogorsk goaltender Edward Pasquale for a third time.

Our next game will be contested against Avtomobilist in Yekaterinburg on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time.

Match protocol:

Metallurg Magnitogorsk - SKA - 3:2 (2:0, 1:0, 0:2)

Goals:

1:0 Dronov (Chibisov), 10.45

2:0 Koshelev (Nekolenko), 13.31

3:0 Maillet (Goldobin, Yakovlev), 21.08 PPG

3:1 Khairullin (Nikishin), 42.02

3:2 Ozhiganov (Volkov, Khusnutdinov), 45.05

Goalkeepers: Pasquale - Podyapolsky/Nikolaev

Shots: 53 - 66

Shots on target: 28 - 28