SKA - Ak Bars - 7:4
In an 11-goal thriller, SKA outlasted Ak Bars Kazan at the Ice Palace in the 2022/2023 KHL regular season, claiming a dramatic 7:4 triumph.
The game sadly started with a serious injury for Valentin Zykov, who was unable to continue after receiving a crunching hit from visiting forward Alexander Radulov.
Incredibly, the teams went on to score three goals each during the first period alone! Alexander Nikishin, Emil Galimov and Dmitrij Jaskin hit the jackpot after Vadim Shipachyov and Dmitry Voronkov had initially given Ak Bars the lead twice, but Ilya Safonov struck gold in the 18th minute to ensure that the sides entered the maiden break level.
The breathless action continued in the second stanza.
Familiar face Vyacheslav Voynov tallied Kazan's fourth of the day in the first minute of the period, whipping his low, unexpected effort under SKA goalkeeper Vladislav Podyapolsky. Nevertheless, SKA took charge of proceedings towards the end of the frame, as Galimov got the better of Timur Bilyalov and Marat Khusnutdinov prodded the puck home from point-blank range.
The Galimov show well and truly put Ak Bars to bed in the ensuing third period.
Enjoying one of the games of his life, the 30-year-old was simply unstoppable, registering two more goals - with the second standing out as a memorable solo effort - to ensure that he ended the match with four markers!
SKA will now prepare to face Metallurg Magnitogorsk away on Tuesday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time.
Match protocol:
SKA - Ak Bars - 7:4 (3:3, 2:1, 2:0)
Goals:
0:1 Shipachyov, 04.35 PPG
1:1 Nikishin, 08.57
1:2 Voronkov (Safonov), 10.19
2:2 Galimov (Jaskin), 11.26
3:2 Jaskin (Nikishin, Khusnutdinov), 13.48
3:3 Safonov (Zhuravlyov, Yudin), 17.24
3:4 Voynov (Radulov), 20.38
4:4 Galimov (Khusnutdinov), 36.48
5:4 Khusnutdinov (Vorobyov, Nikishin), 36.48 PPG
6:4 Galimov (Rukavishnikov, Khusnutdinov), 54.09
7:4 Galimov (Jaskin), 56.06
Goalkeepers: Podyapolsky - Bilyalov
Shots: 61 - 65
Shots on target: 32 - 29
Faceoffs: 30 - 34
Hits: 9 - 11
Blocked shots: 16 - 16
Referees: Belov, Naumov
Linesmen: Galimov, Kanifadin
03.02.2023.