Kovalchuk's goal did not save Spartak; Boucher sentenced Sibir. Results of the day in the KHL
Lada smashed Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Andrei Obidin scored a hat-trick in Minsk.
On December 26, the KHL regular championship continued with seven matches. Let's summarize the games.
Siberia forward Sergei Dubakin opened the scoring in the match in the eighth minute, assisted by Egor Alanov and Ivan Klimovich. Avangard managed to come back a few minutes later thanks to a goal from Ryan Spooner off a pass from Reid Boucher.
At the end of the second period, the teams exchanged goals. Andy Andreoff scored for Siberia with passes from Georgy Belousov and Vladimir Butuzov, and Avangard quickly responded with a goal from Nikita Kholodilin from a pass from Damir Sharipzyanov. Then Boucher's accurate shot brought Avangard victory in overtime.
Immediately after the meeting, Avangard head coach Mikhail Kravets told how he plans to use striker Nikolai Prokhorkin, who today, December 26, was exchanged to the Omsk club from Siberia.
“How are we planning to use Prokhorkin? We'll think about it some more, because Kolya just arrived. This acquisition will give us experience, skill, and a large number of matches played in the KHL. A player who can score and pass will give his all in the playoffs. I saw Kolya play for Omsk. I think he will be useful in the locker room. And he really wants to compete for the Cup, to help the team win it,” Kravets noted.
Lada forward Ivan Romanov scored a double in the match. Sergei Shumakov, Nikita Mikhailov and Troy Josephs scored another goal each for the hosts. The only goal for the Steelworkers was scored by forward Nikita Mikhailis. After missing three goals in the first period, Metallurg goalkeeper Ilya Nabokov was replaced, giving way to Alexander Sudnitsin.
Traktor defender Albert Yarullin scored a brace in the match. Maxim Shabanov, Vladimir Tkachev and Charles Robinson scored another goal each for Traktor. Alexander Skorenov and Timofey Davydov scored goals for Severstal. At the end of the match, Severstal forward Danil Aimurzin scored the majority, but the Cherepovets team didn’t have enough to do more.
In the ninth minute of the match, Torpedo hockey player Mikhail Orlov opened the scoring, assisted by Sergei Goncharuk and Vasily Atanasov. At the end of the first period, the score was equalized by Spartak forward Ilya Kovalchuk, for whom this puck became the second one for the red and white. The 40-year-old forward was assisted by Andrei Loktionov. Despite the large number of dangerous moments, no more goals were scored in regulation time or overtime. The decisive shootout was scored by Vasily Atanasov.
The main hero of the match was Avtomobilist forward Andrei Obidin, who scored a hat-trick. The only goal for Dynamo Minsk in the middle of the second period was scored by Vadim Moroz, assisted by Sam Enas and Nick Merkley.
In the 10th minute of the match, Lokomotiv hockey player Nikita Cherepanov opened the scoring, assisted by Georgy Ivanov and Stepan Nikulin. In the middle of the second period, the Yaroslavl team doubled their lead thanks to a goal from Sergei Andronov with assists from Andrei Sergeev and Artur Kayumov. Kunlun pulled one goal back midway through the third period thanks to Jason Frame's assists from Jemel Smith and Brandon Yip. The Yaroslavl team managed to maintain their advantage until the final siren.
One of the main heroes of the match was Admiral defender Libor Shulak, who scored a brace. It is noteworthy that these are the first goals of the Czech defensive player for the Far Eastern club after the exchange from Avangard. Dmitry Buchelnikov, Egor Morozov and Daniil Gutik also scored a puck for the Vladivostok team. Daniil Seroukh, Kirill Rasskazov and Danil Avershin scored for the Sochi team.
