SKA Snaps Losing Streak, Halts Avtomobilist’s Winning Streak

The St. Petersburg team delivered a convincing revenge victory against Avtomobilist after a recent defeat, securing an important win in the KHL.

First Goals for Volk and Pedan

SKA managed their first shot on target only in the tenth minute, despite having numerous attempts to shoot. Apparently, a four-day break from games affected their scoring prowess. SKA`s overall form leading into this match was far from ideal: the team was enduring a five-game losing streak and was outside the playoff zone. Avtomobilist, conversely, arrived in St. Petersburg on a wave of six consecutive victories, one of which was against SKA.

Although the hosts were hesitant to seriously challenge goaltender Evgeny Alikin for a long time, it was they who first broke the deadlock. Matvei Korotky showcased skill and persistence, battling his way to the net and, with the help of the post, scored. A year ago, Korotky tallied nine points (5+4) in 30 games; this season, he reached 4+5 in just 14 appearances. Among the goal`s co-authors was Andrei Pedan, who earned his first point of the season, but he didn`t stop there.

Pedan, who suffered an injury during the preseason, was playing only his third game of the championship. For Nikita Zaitsev, whose health issues also began in the summer, this was his first game back. He was listed in the starting five—paired with Trevor Murphy on defense, and with Valentin Zykov, Mikhail Vorobyov, and Marat Khairullin in attack. In the first period, Zaitsev gave everyone, including goaltender Artemy Pleshkov, a scare by carrying the puck deep behind his own net before making a pass.

After taking the lead, the Army Men began to play more confidently, shooting more often and provoking opponents into penalties. However, they entered the second intermission with the score tied. The puck that Pleshkov conceded had to be reviewed: Curtis Volk, from behind the goal line, chipped the puck off Artemy`s pads, and it somehow trickled across the line. Notably, Volk had also missed the previous month and a half due to injury.

This match truly became a showcase for recently recovered players. Pedan, despite limited ice time, played with exceptional fire. And when in the third period Marat Khairullin passed the puck back to him, Andrei, in a situation that didn`t immediately suggest a shot, swung powerfully at the puck, catching Alikin off guard.

With five minutes remaining until the siren, Murphy gave Avtomobilist a golden opportunity to equalize by taking a tripping penalty. Head coach Nikolai Zavarukhin pulled his goalie for an extra attacker, but his team failed to capitalize on the advantage.