Ak Bars Kazan secured a hard-fought road victory over Metallurg Magnitogorsk, overcoming a daunting 0-3 deficit to win 4-3. Grigory Denisenko netted a double, including the game-winner, while newcomer Alexander Khmelevsky registered an assist in a memorable debut.
A Thrilling September Showdown in Magnitogorsk
The September encounter between Metallurg and Ak Bars carried special significance due to the debut of Alexander Khmelevsky. The forward, recently acquired from Salavat Yulaev, played on a line with Grigory Denisenko and Dmitry Yashkin. Timur Bilyalov remained in goal for Ak Bars. For Metallurg, Ilya Nabokov returned to the starting lineup, joined by Sergei Tolchinsky, Yegor Korobkin, and Alexander Siryatsky.
Metallurg Dominates Early
The hosts created the first dangerous scoring opportunity. Vladimir Tkachev broke away on a counter-attack with Dmitry Silantyev, but Bilyalov denied the shot. Ak Bars had a chance to seize the initiative with a power play but failed to convert. In even-strength play, Metallurg continued to dominate possession. Towards the end of the period, Alexander Siryatsky capitalized on a turnover from Yashkin, opening the scoring with a splendid wrist shot that beat Bilyalov.
Derek Barach, who didn`t play in the first period for Metallurg, appeared on the ice in the second when his team went on a power play after Mikhail Fisenko was penalized for goaltender interference. However, this man-advantage went unconverted. In even-strength play, Vladimir Tkachev carried the puck into the zone and fed Silantyev, who doubled Magnitka`s lead by beating Bilyalov.
Metallurg further extended their lead. Roman Kantserov, after winning a battle in front of the net, managed to score a third goal with a touch of luck. The referees reviewed the play but confirmed the goal was legitimate. Before the break, Ak Bars managed to get one back. Alexander Barabanov brilliantly outmaneuvered Artem Minulin and delivered a precise pass to Vladimir Alistrov, who scored his third goal for the Kazan club, bringing the score to 3-1.
Ak Bars Rises from the Ashes
In the middle of the third period, Ilya Karpukhin reignited the intrigue. Nabokov couldn`t handle the defenseman`s long-range shot, and the score became 3-2. Metallurg pushed the game away from their net during a power play but failed to score. In even-strength play, the duo of Korobkin and Andrei Kozlov dangerously advanced towards Bilyalov`s net, but Kozlov couldn`t beat the goaltender in close quarters.
Timur Bilyalov kept his team in the game with that save, and just a few shifts later, Ak Bars equalized – Grigory Denisenko atoned for his first-period error. Later, on a power play, Grigory completed his double, securing the lead with an assist by Alexander Khmelevsky, who earned his first point for his new club. With 2:13 remaining, Vladimir Tkachev was penalized for an offensive zone infraction, leaving the hosts shorthanded almost until the final buzzer. The Urals team couldn`t recover. Ak Bars completed an incredible comeback, defeating Metallurg for the first time this season in a stunning 4-3 victory.
Three Stars of the Match
- Grigory Denisenko: Two goals, including the game-winner.
- Dmitry Silantyev: One goal and one assist.
- Mitchell Miller: Two assists.
Neville Woodall