Another Two Points for Malkin, Another Win for Magnitogorsk

The Matchup:

Metallurg 

Magnitogorsk 

(8-0-4-3)

vs

Atlant

Moscow Oblast

(5-3-3-6)

Players You May Recognize

Anton Khudobin, Nikolai Zherdev, Konstantin Koltsov, Sandis Ozolinsh, Maxim Mayorov

Recap

Based on sheer records alone, this game looked like a complete mismatch as Atlant entered Magnitogorsk on a 3 game losing streak.  Goalie Anton Khudobin ensured it was a tight game in a losing effort though.

The first period was rather quiet despite an enormous shot advantage for Magnitogorsk (15-3).  Georgi Gelashvili started for the second straight game for Metallurg, but faced very little work early on.  Meanwhile, Magnitogorsk was kept to mostly perimeter shots and could not penetrate the slot or crease area whatsoever in the first period.  Of Khudobin's 15 first period saves, maybe 1 was really a challenge.

The game opened up quite a bit in the second period as both teams traded chances and rushed up and down the ice.  Atlant finally got some pressure on Magnitogorsk early, but an errant pass sent Metallurg going the other way.  Evgeni Malkin swooped in past a defender and put a low shot on Khudobin which was stopped.  Malkin fell to the ice though and slid into both Khudobin and the side of the net as the puck sat loose on the crease.  With no whistle to stop play, Enver Lisin crashed the crease and poked the loose puck into the net for a 1-0 lead.

As the game got more physical, Malkin and Kulemin
were quite ready to get involved.

At this point, the online stream died for a little bit, but when it returned Magnitogorsk was killing a penalty on Denis Platonov.  The penalty kill was successful, but Atlant scored shortly thereafter as Jonas Andersson shot a rebound from just outside of the crease to tie the score at 1.  As the second period came to a close, the game got notably physical.  Nikolai Kulemin had a great open ice hit on an Atlant defender which forced a turnover and a solid scoring chance, but Khudobin was ready for it.  Later in the shift, Malkin tried to go 1 on 3 into the slot and an Atlant defender hip checked him, nearly flipping him over on his head.  With that, the period would end 1-1.

The third period played out more like the first as Magnitogorsk returned to dominance, outshooting Atlant 12-4.  Enver Lisin would score his 2nd of the night, the game winner, halfway through the period as his line took advantage of a 3 on 2 break.  Justin Hodgman brought the puck into the zone and passed it off to Lisin in the high slot after both defenders had backed up towards the crease.  Lisin held the puck for a few seconds before sniping it past Khudobin.  The game would come to a close as Evgeni Malkin finished it off with an empty net goal.

Final Score:  Metallurg Magnitogorsk 3  Atlant Moscow Oblast 1

Magnitogorsk improves to 9-0-4-3 and Atlant drops to 5-3-3-7.

Player Notes

Malkin focused on a faceoff late in the 3rd.

Evgeni Malkin - Geno put up a goal and an assist for the second straight game.  He absolutely frightened me when he was flipped on his 1 on 3 effort, but showed no ill effects from the hit.  He finished the game with 6 shots in 19:32 of ice time and was 13 for 22 in the faceoff circle.  If the NHL does return soon, it will be interesting to see if Malkin starts off on fire as he looks to be in mid-season form right now.

Sergei Gonchar - Gonchar played a MUCH better game tonight than 2 days ago.  He was solid defensively, not getting caught out of position even once.  He also played a 2 on 1 perfectly as he pushed the puck carrier to the outside and cut off the passing lane at the same time.  He finished the game with 4 shots in 18:26 in a solid effort.

Others - Nikolai Kulemin looked fantastic in both his physical game and his defensive awareness.  His poke-checking on the PK and in the defensive zone was superb and he caused numerous Atlant turnovers.  Sandis Ozolinsh, who I assumed quit hockey long ago, looked great in playing over 24 minutes for Atlant.  He was smooth with the puck and a workhorse all night.  His game made me wonder why he's no longer in the NHL.  Enver Lisin was pretty much johnny on the spot for loose pucks and open passes in this game.  Finally, Atlant captain Konstantin Koltsov disappointed me in this game.  I was hoping his speed would be a game changer and entertaining, but it looked pedestrian compared to those around him.  

Next Game:  10/22, 12:30pm EST vs Dynamo Riga, on ESPN 3

Links:

Go to onhockey.ru for all of your streaming needs.

If you want highlights for the games, check out http://www.youtube.com/user/KHLofficialvideo.