Dragons start New Year with a point

4 January 2024

Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 3 Kunlun Red Star 2 OT

Kunlun could not quite snap its losing streak in the opening game of 2024, but an improved performance in Nizhny Novgorod secured a point from an overtime loss. After five losses in regulation, that’s already something to celebrate.

There was a New Year bonus even before the puck drop, with Cory Kane back in action for the first time this season. One of our longest-serving players, Cory has been a big miss this term as he recovered from injury. Today he eased back into action on the fourth line alongside Luke Lockhart and Spencer Foo.

The early stages favored the Dragons. Torpedo’s plans were hampered when influential young forward Vasily Atanasov had to leave the game with an injury. Red Star, meanwhile, produced a string of dangerous attacks. Devin Brosseau, Brandon Yip and Ryan Merkley all tested home goalie Ivan Kulbakov before the pressure paid off. Parker Foo broke down the left and got the puck to the center. With the Torpedo defense wide open, Colin Campbell and Nolan Moyle bore down on the net, the latter claiming the final touch to beat Kulbakov and send Red Star to the intermission up 1-0.

The second period saw more menace from our counterattacks. Campbell had a shot blocked as Torpedo scrambled back to neutralize the danger, then Parker Foo’s one-timer drew a big save from Kulbakov. The home offense was struggling to deliver its usual verve until midway through the session. Then a Madison Bowey point shot got a tip from Dennis Yan to take it past Jeremy Smith and tie the game. It’s the third time we’ve encountered Bowey this season, and his second point against us, but unusually the Canadian defenseman has faced us on behalf of three different teams.

While Bowey’s KHL career takes him from station to station, the Dragons were looking for heroes to get us back on top. And, in Kyle Wood, we found one. A power play late in the second stanza was just coming to an end when Woodie picked up the rebound from a Yipper effort and swept the loose puck into the net.

Early in the third, another PP almost produce a third goal. Jake Chelios got a good look at Kulbakov, but his close-range effort was blocked and Torpedo survived. A two-goal lead at that stage would have had Red Star in a great position to go on and win the game in regulation. Unfortunately, though, midway through the third period Torpedo tied the game again. Yan was on target again, finding the net while Moyle sat out a minor penalty.

There was more misfortune to come when a Red Star power play came agonizingly close to restoring the lead. After a scramble in front of the net, the video officials were called upon to rule on a potential third goal. However, the check could not conclusively show that the puck crossed the line and the scores remained locked at 2-2.

Neither team could win it in the remaining six minutes. The Dragons absorbed some intense pressure in the third period to ensure that they made their point and took the game to OT. In the extras, Torpedo replaced Kulbakov with a fourth skater and quickly made the most of the extra man. How quickly? Well, it was fast enough for Kulbakov to pick up an assist on Maxim Letunov’s winning goal even though he was already off the ice by the time the puck hit the twine.

KRS continues its season in Moscow at the weekend, with back-to-back games against Dynamo and CSKA.