Channel One Cup:

Despite some Sturm und drang, Russia ended up prevailing at the 3v3 tournament. Befitting their status as the host club, one of SKA Saint Petersburg’s most high players factored into the win a considerable amount. In the semifinals against Kazakhstan, Ivan Demidov was as involved in the 3-1 win as you can get, as the future Canadien scored two goals and registered 1 assist. Subsequently, in the final, he had an assist and a penalty shot goal to his name, as Russia defeated Belarus 4-2 to capture the trophy. As the tournament’s leading scorer, he was named MVP upon the conclusion of the final.

Meanwhile, piggybacking off of the updates in last week’s installment in this series, Russia finished top of the table in the main tournament, as well. Complementing last Thursday’s 4-1 win against the KHL World Team, the home nation defeated Belarus 4-3 in overtime. Marat Khairullin tallied a secondary assist on Grigory Kuzmin’s goal which brought the score to 2-0. The Belarusians would get back in it, but ultimately, SKA players would be the determining factor and heroes of the day. In the extra frame, Vasily Glotov would connect with Evgeny Kuznetsov on a rush play and the latter would not miss, striking his iconic bird pose in celebration. Against Kazakhstan, Russia would concede first, but they would have a more than adequate response. Marat Khairullin had the primary assist on Maxim Sorkin’s power play marker to tie it up while Glotov would be assisted by Kuznetsov and Alexander Nikishin on what stood as the game winner. Sergei Plotnikov tallied a primary assist on Ilya Safonov’s empty netter to ice it. With a record of 2 regulation wins and 1 overtime win, Russia ended with six points, 2 clear of Belarus for heads of the table. How appropriate it was that not only did the national team emerge triumphant, but largely on the back of the host team’s stars.

SKA Saint Petersburg:

Game 35: Tuesday, December 17th

SKA 2-3 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

Game 36: Thursday, December 19th

SKA 6-4 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

Returning to regular action at SKA Arena for the first time this season, SKA struck first against Loko, with Plotnikov getting on the board a little past midway through the first. However, after that, it felt like they were chasing the game and letting it get by them throughout most of the rest of the proceedings and a dramatic power play goal with just under eight minutes remaining by Maxim Beryozkin was ultimately what ended it for them. In good news, Flyers prospect Yegor Zavragin dressed as the backup for this game, pointing to a likely soon return.

As it would turn out, he would make it under unplanned circumstances in the next game. Pavel Moisevich got the start, but the Vegas Golden Knights draft pick was pulled after allowing two goals on his first four shots against, allowing who some Flyers fans affectionately refer to as “The Genie” to make his first appearance in a game since November 15th. While he would allow the game’s next goal to have the score drop to 3-0, he would be good enough in relief, stopping 13 of 15 as SKA took over the game. Six different goals were scored by six different goal scorers, including an empty net game ender by Glotov and the GWG by Demidov, which marked the latter’s first goal since October 30th (with just one assist in the interim). The future Hab has not always been at his best, but he also has been in Roman Rotenberg’s doghouse to the point where it’s been at times nigh-impossible for him to do much more of anything than he has been doing. Hopefully, with this clutch goal (which was a fairly nice move, at that) with Canadiens GM Kent Hughes in attendance, this can give him something of a chance going forward.

HC Sochi:

Game 34: Wednesday, December 18th

Sochi 2-4 Severstal Cherepovets

There just isn’t anything to say. They were crushed in possession and control of tempo throughout most of the game. They are spiraling out of control, and with three more games on the road trip, including another matchup against this same Severstal squad, more of this is likely on tap.

Next games:

SKA: Saturday, December 21st, 9:00 AM EST – vs. Admiral Vladivostok

Sochi: Tomorrow (Friday, December 20th), 11:00 AM EST – @ Severstal Cherepovets