Game one. CSKA - SKA - 2:1

In the first match of the 2018/2019 KHL Western Conference, SKA came up short to HC CSKA Moscow, dropping a 1:2 defeat.

Incredibly, SKA outshot CSKA 37-12, but the Muscovites were ruthless with their opportunities. The same cannot be said for Saint Petersburg.

Nevertheless, our players had started on the front foot, scoring the first goal when Dinar Khafizullin's effort from long distance snuck beyond CSKA goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin.

SKA were in charge, but against the run of play, Alexander Popov capitalised on a sloppy defensive mistake to beat Magnus Hellberg when clean through.

Mikhail Grigorenko then handed CSKA a 2:1 advantage midway through the second frame.

SKA had two goals disallowed, but despite all of the pressing, CSKA held on.

Game two will take place at the CSKA Arena on Saturday.

Match protocol:

CSKA - SKA - 2:1 (1:1, 1:0, 0:0)

Goals:

0:1 Khafizullin (Plotnikov, Byvaltsev), 14.12

1:1 Popov, 17.21

2:1 Grigorenko (Nesterov, Kaprizov), 27.55

Goalkeepers: Sorokin - Hellberg

Shots on target: 12 - 37

Faceoffs: 25 - 34

Hits: 10 - 7

Penalty minutes: 10 - 2

Referees: Belyaev, Romasko

28.03.2019.