SKA - Kunlun Red Star

SKA - Kunlun Red Star - 4:2

9 January 2018

SKA hosted HC Kunlun Red Star in Saint Petersburg for the first KHL home match of 2018. Head coach Oleg Znarok made a couple of changes in the line-up, notably putting Igor Shestyorkin in net instead of Mikko Koskinen. Swedish goaltender Magnus Hellberg stood between Kunlun’s pipes.

The Chinese visitors made a strong start at the Ice Palace, taking the lead within three minutes. Taylor Beck took aim from the right wing, catching Igor Shestyorkin cold glove side. Kunlun dominated the opening shifts, creating plenty of chances in SKA’s zone. Nevertheless, a powerplay helped SKA get something going. Sergei Plotnikov completed a beautiful play on the doorstep, before Nikita Gusev aimed a wrister over the blocker when at equal strength. However, Kunlun found an instant response. Cory Kane whacked a firm effort beyond Igor Shestyorkin’s right arm, making it a 2:2 game after 20 minutes.

To the Ice Palace’s delight, SKA stepped it up in the second period. Our players piled the pressure on a tiring Kunlun team, outshooting the Chinese outfit 19-3 during the frame. Magnus Hellberg was a busy man for the visitors, pulling off a number of fantastic saves as SKA threw everything at Kunlun Red Star. Eventually, with the period approaching its climax, SKA finally made the dominance count. Clean through, Nikolai Prokhorkin beat Magnus Hellberg with a stunning move.

In control of proceedings, our team opted for a more cautious approaching in the third frame. SKA restricted Kunlun to minimal chances in our zone, protecting possession and making things happen by the opposing net. The victory was sealed two minutes from time. Sergei Plotnikov was the scorer, netting his second of the day on the slot. Igor Shestyorkin made some important late saves, seeing SKA through to a pulsating 4:2 victory against Kunlun Red Star!

Match protocol:

SKA – Kunlun Red Star – 4:2 (2:2, 1:0, 1:0)

Goals:

0:1 Beck (Defazio), 02.54

1:1 Plotnikov (Shipachyov, Gusev), 08.15

2:1 Gusev (Plotnikov, Shipachyov), 11.52

2:2 Kane (Ibragimov, Kostitsyn), 12.23

3:2 Prokhorkin (Shirokov), 35.19

4:2 Plotnikov (Hersley, Shipachyov), 58.06

Goalkeepers: Shestyorkin – Hellberg

Shots on target: 49 – 22

Faceoffs: 40 – 27