Malkin Gets First Lockout Win!

The Matchup:

Metallurg 

Magnitogorsk 

(2-0-2-2)

@

Neftekhimik 

Nizhnekamsk 

(3-3-1-1)

Players You May Recognize

Nail Yakupov, Oskar Osala.  (Refer to previous posts for Metallurg players)

Recap

Paul Maurice isn't used to winning when Malkin is involved.

On our third endeavor into KHL hockey for the sake of watching Evgeni Malkin, Metallurg Magnitogorsk faced off against Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (which is not a keymash).  Neftekhimik came into the game 3rd in the conference through 8 games with only 1 regulation loss.  Metallurg had lost their past 2 games (in OT and in a shootout), which left Malkin and Sergei Gonchar looking for their first KHL win of the season.

Metallurg started Georgy Gelashvili in net who was returning from some injury that I was unable to translate.  Malkin started the game at center with Nikolai Kulemin and Enver Lisin as his wingers.  Malkin started the game on fire (I know it's Russia, but I don't literally mean that) from the first puck drop and was causing havoc around the Neftekhimik net.  On his 2nd shift, Malkin circled the net, took the puck behind the cage and made a perfect pass to Nikolai Kulemin in front for a 1-0 lead.  In recent interviews, Geno frequently mentioned how much he wanted to score his first KHL goal of the season.  His play clearly showed that.  

Not the first jersey I expected to watch Yakupov in.

After the first period, Metallurg led 1-0 and Geno led all skaters with 5 shots.  Also of note in the first period, Cal O'Reilly was LEVELED by Nail Yakupov.  O'Reilly then promptly retaliated with a slash which cost him a 2 minute minor and a 10 minute misconduct.  It was one of 4 penalties taken by Metallurg in the 1st.

The scoring took off in the 2nd period, though none of it was by Evgeni Malkin.  Justin Hodgman made it 2-0 Metallurg about halfway through the 2nd.  The goal was answered 20 seconds later as Igor Polygalov put Neftekhimik on the board to cut the lead to 2-1.  14 seconds later, Neftekhimik took a penalty for "rudeness" according to the Google Translation that I hypothesize is roughing.  Metallurg made them pay for their rudeness as Sergey Mozyakin blasted a shot from the point that went in.  Both Malkin and Gonchar assisted on the powerplay goal that made it 3-1.

Later in the 2nd period, Gelashvili would show his rustiness in net as he tried to make a pokecheck that was clearly out of his range.  Pavel Kulikov took advantage of the move and slid the puck around him to cut the lead to 3-2.  Metallurg would take over from here though as Yaroslav Kosov scored on a penalty shot, followed by an Enver Lisin goal (set up by a gorgeous long pass from Cal O'Reilly) within 33 seconds.

Heading into the 3rd period 5-2, Neftekhimik put in their backup goalie and play continued on rather quietly through the first half of the period.  Halfway through the 3rd, Neftekhimik's Alexander Seluyanov was called for "attack to the head and neck" (read: headshot) and received a 2 minute minor and 10 minute misconduct.  Metallurg made it 6-2 on the ensuing powerplay with a Denis Platonov goal assisted by Malkin.  Finally, with 2 minutes left, Enver Lisin would score his 2nd goal of the game, yet again assisted by Cal O'Reilly.

Final Score:  Metallurg wins 7-2.  

Metallurg moves to 3-0-2-2 and Neftekhimik drops to 3-3-1-2.

Player Notes

Malkin did not look pleased after the game
with his lack of goals

Evgeni Malkin - Finished with 12 shots, 3 assists, and 18 for 29 in faceoffs in 21:01 of ice time.  Malkin's shot choices leaned heavily on his slapshots as he tried shooting through defenders a few times.  He continues to look better with every shift and every game.  It won't be long before he's lighting up the goal column as well.

Sergei Gonchar - Gonchar's ice time dropped a little bit despite numerous powerplay opportunities for Metallurg.  He finished with 5 shots in 18:15 of ice time.  I only noticed one turnover of his though, and no awful mistakes, so maybe less hockey is good hockey for Gonchar right now.

Beautiful sprawling save on the left side of the net.

Nail Yakupov - This was the first time I have seen Yakupov play live and he looked pretty solid.  He definitely has great awareness of where to be on the ice and where to go when he doesn't have the puck.  Yakupov clearly doesn't shy away from the physical game (as Cal O'Reilly can attest to now) but he was smart about it.  He was kept off the score sheet though after absolutely robbed on a shot right on the crease.

Cal O'Reilly - I still can't get over the fact he's a leader on this Metallurg team.  That's pretty much the big thing that reminds me this is the KHL (and also those pesky Russian announcers I can't understand).  O'Reilly finished 12 for 18 in faceoffs with no shots and 2 assists in 14:18 of ice time.  His ice time was rather limited due to his 12 penalty minutes.

Next Game:  9/27, 9am EST vs. Leo.

This will be Metallurg's first home game since the NHLers arrived.  Will Geno's parents be in the stands???

Links:

Different (and more dependable) site to watch the KHL games at:  www.stopstream.tv.  Click on the game and it will provide 2 or 3 different video links to try.

Want my opinion on the NHL Lockout?  Move on.  http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-lockout-diary-i-watched-a-khl-game/