Happy families!

2 December 2023

Kunlun Red Star 5 Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 2

Rampant Red Star defeated one of its bogey teams and jumped to within a point of the playoff places after a fine performance at home to Avtomobilist. It was a big day for our pairs of brothers, with the Wongs and the Foos involved in four of the goals.

After a great win over Spartak last time out, Viktors Ignatjevs went with the same line-up. The only change was Matt Jurusik’s return as starter as he and Jeremy Smith continue to share goaltending duties. Meanwhile, the Dragons came into the game with a point to prove.

The first period was a family affair, with the Wong brothers both scoring. Tyler went first, breaking the deadlock after 13 minutes with a lazer of a shot from between the hash marks. The play all started with a good press in center ice, preventing Avtomobilist from getting forward. Kyle Wood won possession and moved the puck to Luke Lockhart on the right-hand boards. He brought it into the visitor’s zone and fed a pass for the fast-moving Wong to jump between the defense and shoot home.

Anyone with a sibling understands that family rivalry is a thing. Austin watched his big brother score, and not surprisingly wanted a piece of that. Barely a minute later, he had a goal of his own. Happily back to full fitness after a long injury lay-off, Wong Jr. rifled home a low shot from close range after a lovely passing play that brought Wood his second point of the game and Tyler Graovac his first since joining the Dragons from Admiral.

There was more to come. Midway through the second period, the Dragons potted a third and, once again, it came from a great combination play. Parker Foo finished off the move, with Colin Campbell and Ryan Sproul credited with assists, but in reality, all five skaters played a part. Jake Chelios started it off, clearing the puck from our zone and finding Nolan Moyle in center ice. The youngster held up play well before releasing Campbell over the blue line, then Sproul overlapped down the right to pick out Parker at the back door. Exhilarating stuff!

Avtomobilist responded by swapping goalies. Evgeny Alikin went to the bench and Vladimir Galkin came into the game. The visitor also switched up its tactics and, after establishing a commanding lead, the Dragons found themselves pegged back. In past seasons, we’ve often had a hard time dealing with the Avtomobilist offense and, belatedly, the Motormen began to move through the gears. Ilya Ovchinnikov got one back in the second period, then early in the third Alexander Sevostyanov made it a one-goal game.

However, there was no panic. After all, in the first period we scored two quick goals to take control of the game, and there was no reason why we couldn’t do that again. Campbell was the first to strike, grabbing a loose puck in center ice and using Parker Foo’s presence to keep Sevostyanov uncertain where to go. The defenseman was so anxious to cut out the pass that he opened a shooting lane, and Colin cashed in to restore a two-goal cushion.

Two minutes later, it was 5-2 and game over. Spencer Foo continued the family theme with an assist to join his brother among the points. Jack Rodewald ripped home wrister as the Dragons scored five on Avtomobilist for the first time in KHL play.

With four wins from five games, Red Star is on a roll. The action continues next week with the visit of HC Sochi before we pause for the All-Star Game and the Channel 1 Cup in St. Petersburg.

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