SKA - Spartak

SKA - Spartak - 4:2

20 December 2021

In a thrilling battle, SKA just had enough to keep Spartak Moscow at bay, emerging victorious by a score of 4:2 at home in the 2021/2022 KHL regular season.

Spartak broke the deadlock within four minutes after making a flying start at the Ice Palace.

Alone on the right flank, former SKA forward Alexander Khokhlachyov pounced on the loose puck and sent an instant attempt beyond the stricken Lars Johansson.

The Muscovites were on top throughout the first half of the opening frame, competing with more pace than SKA, earning a powerplay and creating lots of promising opportunities. Emil Pettersson came within an inch of doubling Spartak’s money when playing at equal strength, unleashing a powerful wrister which struck the right post with Johansson beaten.

SKA's only chance saw Joonas Kemppainen wrist against Alexei Krasikov's pads when through on goal shorthanded.

Nevertheless, SKA improved towards the end of the period, equalising in the 17^th minute on the powerplay.

Lurking to the left of the crease, Anton Burdasov completed a flowing play by ruthlessly going top-shelf on Krasikov.

SKA then took their first lead of the evening with a mere five seconds remaining in the first period. On the counter-attack, the puck dropped to the onrushing Daniil Pylenkov on the doorstep, who beat Krasikov with the help of the left post.

Buoyed by those two quickfire goals, our players continued competing on the front foot in the second stanza.

The third goal deservedly arrived in the 28^th minute following a lengthy spell of heavy pressure. Once again, Burdasov was the hero for SKA on the powerplay, catching Krasikov cold with a trademark slap shot from the left faceoff circle.

In truth, Spartak really were struggling defensively, as they barely managed to keep the puck out of their zone. On the other hand, SKA were pressing with serious intent, carving chances open at will and regularly testing Krasikov.

The fourth goal arrived in the penultimate minute of the period.

Displaying stunning skill, Andrei Kuzmenko brilliantly worked his way to the crease before neatly sliding the puck under Krasikov.

However, Spartak struck back against the run of play with a mere seven seconds left to play in the stanza. At the blue line, Alexander Nikishin decided to try his luck, and his clattering effort was too hot for Johansson to handle.

That goal gave Spartak impetus for the ensuing third period.

Requiring goals and firmly playing on the front foot, Spartak crashed our net with intensity throughout the stanza, calling Johansson into action from any angle possible. When clean through, Sergei Shirokov should have halved the deficit for Spartak, but he could only shoot against Johansson’s left pad.

SKA didn’t help themselves by taking two untimely penalties in the closing stages. But, thanks to heroic defending and flawless goalkeeping, our team didn’t allow Spartak to erase their two-goal deficit - despite the fact that the Moscow-based club played 6-on-4 after pulling Krasikov for the extra skater.

Our next match will take place at 19:30 local time against CSKA Moscow in Saint Petersburg.

Match protocol:

SKA - Spartak - 4:2 (2:1, 2:1, 0:0)

Goals:

0:1 Khokhlachyov (Lehtera, Heed), 03.34

1:1 Burdasov (Kemmpainen, Gusev), 16.29 PPG

2:1 Pylenkov (Marchenko, Galimov), 19.55

3:1 Burdasov (Kuzmenko, Gusev), 27.51 PPG

4:1 Kuzmenko (Burdasov), 37.22

4:2 Nikishin (Heed, Lehtera), 39.53

Goalkeepers: Johansson - Krasikov

Shots: 40 - 50