SKA Saint Petersburg began the new calendar year with a convincing 6-1 triumph over Vityaz Moscow Region on Wednesday, January 3rd (the day that marked the return of league action) in a game that never felt in doubt, as they were able to sustain consistent offensive pressure and Vityaz were not really able to create any, as young SKA netminder Pavel Moisevich faced just 18 shots on net. The next two games, however, were much more frustrating, as they dropped back-to-back one goal results, first losing to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl by a score of 2-1 on Friday, January 5th in a game that was competitive but in which SKA were just narrowly outplayed. The followup to this was even more frustrating, as they were able to gain a point but dropped yet another 2-1 result to Eastern Conference juggernauts Metallurg Magnitogorsk in overtime despite leading in every meaningful team statistic (including 44-32 in SOG and 42-29 in FOW). This team has really flourished in the last two months and been as accomplished as a defending Continental Cup winner including the likes of the league’s arguable best blueliner Alexander Nikishin (CAR, 69th overall, 2020) and new additions in the form of scorer Borna Rendulic and incumbent best goalie Nikita Serebryakov on its roster should be. However, even though this is the first time head coach Roman Rotenberg’s group has dropped consecutive games since back-to-back-to-back regulation losses to HC Sochi, Ak Bars Kazan, and Avangard Omsk between Oct. 27th and Nov. 2nd, the West’s playoff picture is competitive, so they will absolutely looking to respond.

Speaking of HC Sochi, their three games to this point in 2024 have been fruitless, as well. Though it looked as though they might pull off an upset against Metallurg on Jan. 3rd as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a goal by RW Matvei Michkov (PHI, 7th overall, 2023 NHL Entry Draft), they would allow the next three goals and fall in overtime. The next couple of games would be even more fruitless, as they would fall 4-1 to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on Jan. 5th and 3-0 on Jan. 7th to Severstal Cherepovets. Michkov would tally no points in either of the latter two games, despite his best efforts at creating plays. The game against Severstal was especially noteworthy as the home team, though they did not completely prevent him from utilizing his usual flair, did apply some watertight defense on Michkov and prevented him from being his usual dominant self. This game also notably started with Michkov’s usual center Marat Khusnutdinov (MIN, 37th overall, 2020) separated from him, with MK22 being placed at the 1RW spot. The division did not pan out, nor did head coach Dmitry Kokorev’s attempt to reunite MK22 with Michkov and his usual 2LW Artur Tyanulin, as the line conceded the second goal of the game almost instantly. This marks their 13th consecutive defeat.

The Sochi Leopards have made some efforts to improve Kokorev’s coaching staff. As was anticipated/reported by HockeyNewsHub on X just before the New Year, Alexander Titov (formerly bench boss of the MHL’s SKA-1946) has replaced Sergei Voronov as the assistant coach working with their blueline. One big problem with their group right now is their defensemen’s inability to create breakouts/make outlet passes and generally move the puck. If Titov can improve this habit in them, we might see this team crawl back to at least a respectable state. We shall see what progress there is with Titov given time to work with the group.