SKA – Lokomotiv

SKA – Lokomotiv – 1:2

5 January 2024

In a tense battle, SKA came up short against an organised Lokomotiv Yaroslavl outfit, conceding a narrow 1:2 at the Ice Palace in the 2023/2024 KHL regular season.

Predictably, the two teams opted for a cautious, risk-free approach in the opening stanza.

SKA made the breakthrough midway through the period with practically the first clear opportunity.

On the counter-attack, Borna Rendulic picked out the onrushing Zakhar Bardakov, who sent a firm attempt past Lokomotiv goaltender Daniil Isayev into the far corner.

Lokomotiv promptly increased the intensity of their play. While competing on two late powerplays in the period, the visitors asked serious questions of inexperienced SKA goaltender Pavel Moisevich, but the teenager responded with a series of tough stops at close range.

SKA competed on the front foot for the vast majority of the second frame.

The impressive Isayev was a lively figure for the Yaroslavl-based outfit, jumping around his crease with trademark enthusiasm and keeping his team in the game in the process. With the goal at his mercy, Maxim Fedotov looked certain to double SKA’s advantage on one occasion, but he took too long picking his spot and Isayev consequently managed to get across in time.

Our players were punished for their profligacy with two minutes remaining in the period.

Following a rare Lokomotiv counter, Artur Kayumov escaped his marker on the doorstep and tapped Maxim Beryozkin’s accurate pass under Moisevich’s pads.

Seconds later, Pavel Kraskovsky could have grabbed Lokomotiv’s second against the run of play, but he backhanded over the crossbar after pouncing on a wayward pass from Alex Galchenyuk.

In such a finely balanced showdown, the next goal was always going to be key.

Unfortunately, the pendulum fell Lokomotiv’s way after Nikita Kamalov had been penalised with a double minor for an avoidable high-sticking foul.

In fairness, SKA defended excellently for nearly all of the ensuing four minutes, but Moisevich was powerless to prevent Georgy Ivanov from bundling the puck over the line after he had already made a number of top stops.

Boasting a precious lead to defend, Lokomotiv shut up shop for the rest of the third frame. Our players huffed and puffed but, with Yaroslavl not allowing them to even cross the blue line into their zone, barely any realistic opportunities were created.

Moisevich was replaced for the extra skater with almost a full four minutes left on the clock, but Lokomotiv continued displaying their defensive masterclass. Galchenyuk wasted our only half-chance, failing to score when swinging for a sharp wraparound.

SKA will now prepare to host Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Saint Petersburg on Sunday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 17:00 local time.

Match protocol:

SKA – Lokomotiv – 1:2 (1:0, 0:1, 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 Bardakov (Rendulic, Gritsyuk), 09.46

1:1 Kayumov (Beryozkin), 37.34

1:2 Ivanov (Polunin, Alexeev), 44.59 PPG

Goalkeepers: Moisevich – Isayev

Shots: 63 – 50

Shots on target: 29 – 28

Faceoffs: 25 – 31

Blocked shots: 7 – 21