SKA – CSKA

SKA – CSKA – 2:1

20 November 2023

In a tense battle, SKA held on against CSKA Moscow at the Ice Palace in the 2023/2024 KHL regular season, emerging victorious by a slender score of 2:1.

The first period was a calm, cautious affair.

Chances were at a premium with the two arch-rivals refusing to take any early risks. Nevertheless, following a handful of positive shifts with increased aggressiveness, our second line orchestrated our opening marker.

After Vladimir Alistrov had forced a CSKA turnover, Vasily Glotov whipped a firm wrister over Ivan Fedotov’s glove.

CSKA started the second period with more energy.

However, after Andrei Chivilyov had received a penalty for hooking, the same player then atoned for his error with an important second goal in the 25^th minute.

When swinging to a shooting position on the right circle, the 23-year-old caught Fedotov cold near-post with a sharp effort.

The game subsequently turned on its head in the 27^th minute, as Valentin Zykov was ejected with a 5+20 penalty for boarding against the impressive Prokhor Poltapov. Sensing an opportunity to gain a foothold in the match, CSKA did call Nikita Serebryakov into action with hopeful attempts from distance, but our players calmly dealt with that five-minute long penalty and even came close shorthanded through Nikolai Polyakov.

Serebryakov’s best stop of the stanza was witnessed against Mikhail Grigorenko with CSKA skating away on an odd-man rush.

Even though they were huffing and puffing, CSKA weren’t looking themselves at all until the concluding five minutes of the third period, when the reigning Gagarin Cup champions really did force the issue.

In stark contrast to the preceding 55 minutes, the away side were suddenly throwing everything at SKA and forcing Serebryakov into countless fantastic saves.

Unfortunately, their incessant pressing did end with the Muscovites halving our advantage on the powerplay with 80 seconds remaining.

At point-blank range, Maxim Mamin tapped the puck over the line while playing 6-on-4.

CSKA promptly pulled Fedotov for the extra skater again for the last minute of play. Under severe pressure, Serebryakov did have to make one tricky save for us, but CSKA ran out of time and SKA could breathe a sigh of relief.

SKA will now prepare to host Spartak Moscow in Saint Petersburg on Thursday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

SKA – CSKA – 2:1 (1:0, 1:0, 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 Glotov (Alistrov), 14.35

2:0 Chivilyov (Alistrov), 24.34

2:1 Mamin (Karnaukhov, Sorkin), 58.40 PPG

Goalkeepers: Serebryakov – Fedotov

Shots: 41 – 61

Shots on target: 23 – 30

Faceoffs: 22 – 26

Blocked shots: 21 – 9