SKA - Severstal. Introducing the opponents

CURRENT STANDINGS

3. SKA, 38 matches, 21 regulation victories, 1 overtime victory, 2 penalty shootout victories, 9 regulation defeats, 1 overtime defeat, 4 penalty shootout defeats, goal difference 122-86, 53 points

13. Severstal, 37 matches, 13 regulation victories, 4 overtime victories, 3 penalty shootout victories, 15 regulation defeats, 1 overtime defeat, 1 penalty shootout defeat, goal difference 84-97, 42 points

FORM

Severstal are continuing to enjoy an impressive 2020/2021 KHL campaign. Coached by the charismatic Andrei Razin, the Cherepovets-based outfit have surprised many this season, earning 20 victories in 37 matches to currently occupy sixth position of the Western Conference with 42 points on the board. Boasting an exciting squad with the likes of young talents Alexander Petunin (forward, 11+14) Daniil Vovchenko (forward, 10+5) and Igor Geraskin (forward, 5+6) on their books, Severstal regularly cause the toughest of opponents plenty of serious problems with their aggressive, attack-minded style, always crashing the net with intent.

Razin’s troops have indeed won five out of their last six matches, defeating Dinamo Riga twice (4:3 OT on the road, 4:2 at home) and Avangard Omsk (2:1), Spartak Moscow (4:3) and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (3:0) in Cherepovets. Furthermore, Severstal came within 40 seconds of snatching points in Yaroslavl against Lokomotiv on Tuesday, conceding the winning goal to lose 1:2 in the dying moments of play.

Severstal and SKA have already met twice in the current season. Despite coming under serious pressure in both games, SKA did manage to emerge victorious in Cherepovets, claiming a tense 2:0 win in the first match before launching a dramatic comeback to take the second 3:2.

Our players are coming off the back of a memorable 4:3 triumph over CSKA Moscow at home in the Army Rivalry. Thanks to goals from Anton Burdasov, Ivan Morozov and Andrei Kuzmenko, SKA held a 3:1 lead with two minutes left to play, but CSKA promptly took the match into overtime with Konstantin Okulov and Maxim Shalunov scoring last-gasp markers. Nevertheless, SKA did eventually come good in the ensuing penalty shootout, with Linden Vey, Vladimir Tkachyov and Kuzmenko all hitting the jackpot. SKA are now seven points behind leaders CSKA in second spot of the conference.

POINTS LEADERS IN LAST FIVE MATCHES

SKA

Vladimir Tkachyov: 7 (2+5) points

Andrei Kuzmenko: 5 (2+3) points

Igor Ozhiganov: 4 (2+2) points

SEVERSTAL

Yegor Morozov: 5 (3+2) points

Daniil Vovchenko: 5 (3+2) points

Vladislav Provolnev: 5 (3+2) points

In goal, Vladislav Podyapolsky has largely been their starting goaltender throughout the season, with the 25-year-old recording a 91.2% save percentage, a goals against average of 2.56 and three shutouts in his 29 appearances to date. Dmitry Shugaev (12 matches, 91.2%, 2.24) and Konstantin Shostak (1 match, 95.0%, 2.02) have also featured in the Severstal net.

Alexander Samonov (10 matches, 91.0%, 2.46) was once again the shootout hero for SKA this week as he stopped three of CSKA’s four attempts to see our team through to a crucial victory in Saint Petersburg. Magnus Hellberg (13 matches, 92.7%, 2.09, 1 shutout) was initially between the pipes for regulation time, while 18-year-old goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (7 appearances, 96.2%, 0.96, 1 shutout) is with the junior Russian national team for the World Junior Championship at the moment.

WHERE TO WATCH

The match is scheduled to begin at 19:30 local time at the Ice Palace. KHL TV HD and Channel 78 will provide a television broadcast in Russia, whereas you can purchase a live video worldwide on the KHL’s official website. Text updates will be available on our Twitter account.