SKA Saint Petersburg:

Game 42: Wednesday, January 8th

SKA 0-5 Spartak Moscow

Game 43: Saturday, January 11th

SKA 4-5 Dynamo Moscow

Game 44: Monday, January 13th

SKA 3-4 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (OT)

Saint Petersburg’s highly anticipated homestand against three competitive squads was about as nightmarish as you could get. SKA had no mojo against Spartak and put in one of the worst performances I have seen by a professional hockey team in recent memory. Against Dynamo, they hung right with them, but were ultimately felled in some late dramatics inside the final thirty seconds, a game in which D Tony DeAngelo was benched for the third period. The final game against the best club in the league (by a lot) had them be competitive all throughout and had what felt like should have been a catalyst of a moment in the form of a third period GTG on the power play by D Alexander Nikishin (Carolina Hurricanes) that came off of a phenomenal release. Demidov also got on the scoresheet with a goal while playing at the 3LW spot. However, they ultimately lost again, taking away just one point from the three matches. The Western Conference race being tight right now outside of Lokomotiv, in a moral sense, makes their place at seventh seem less daunting. However, it also places them in a situation where every point counts. This stretch just did not put them in a good position at all.

Off-ice developments:

Were it not enough, SKA has confirmed that DeAngelo’s contract has been mutually terminated, with the official reason being family matters. While his defensive deficiencies remained notable, DeAngelo was a very good producer from them on the back end and it is curious to see how they will replace his points. It has also been confirmed that Demidov will replace him at the All-Star Game weekend festivities on February 9th-10th.

HC Sochi:

Game 42: Thursday, January 9th

HC Sochi 5-2 Amur Khabarovsk

Game 43: Monday, January 13th

HC Sochi 2-4 Metallurg Magnitogorsk

Game 44: Wednesday, January 15th

HC Sochi 1-2 Vityaz Moscow Region (OT)

Bitten averaged a goal per game across this three-game stretch, tallying 2 against Amur and 1 against Vityaz. His proficiency in finishing has remained strong throughout his time with Sochi after a silent beginning to the year with Spartak.

…That’s it. That’s all that is worth reporting. The team sits 16 points out of the last playoff spot in the West. They are nine points behind Vityaz for the spot above them. With only 24 games left to play, there just is not any room for optimism left with this club.

Off-ice developments:

It was confirmed that Utah Hockey Club prospect/LW Ilya Fedotov was initially demoted to the VHL due to violations of club work ethic standards. Subsequently, he did not report to Rostov for his assignment nor notify the club, and had his contract terminated on disciplinary grounds. Just another bad development in a disappointing season.

Next games:

SKA: vs. Severstal Cherepovets – Tomorrow (1/15): 11:30 AM ET

Sochi: @ Dynamo Moscow – Friday (1/17): 11:30 AM ET