New signings get first KRS goals

12 August 2024

Kunlun Red Star 3 Ak Bars Kazan 4

The Dragons’ first pre-season game of 2024/25 promised a real test as Ak Bars came to Mytishchi. The Kazan powerhouse, under new management this season, already had one warm-up game under its belt after defeating its farm club 4-2 last week.

Meanwhile, as Mikhail Kravets led our guys for the first time as newly-appointed KRS head coach, it was time to check out some of the new arrivals on the roster. The big news away from the game concerned yet another new face – forward Nail Yakupov. Famously, he was the #1 NHL draft pick back in 2012, but struggled with the weight of expectation in Edmonton. With 350 games and 136 points in the NHL, Yakupov had a more than respectable career across the Atlantic, but always had to grapple with the implications of his exalted draft status.

On returning to Russia he helped Avangard win the Gagarin Cup in 2021. Later he was part of Kravets’ team for the Hawks. Now, following an injury hit season with his hometown Neftkehimik, Yakupov is rekindling his working relationship with our head coach and his undoubted attacking flair should add another dimension to our offense.

In Monday’s game, though, the early emphasis was on our defense. Despite some early momentum, the Dragons fell behind towards the end of the first period. Ak Bars scored on its first power play of the game thanks to Dmitrij Jaskin, then Ilya Safonov doubled the advantage before the intermission.

The defensive test was made harder by the fact that we iced just three pairs today, including new signings Adam Clendenning and Ian McCoshen in front of goalie Konstantin Volkov, another new face. At this stage, it’s all about getting the minutes in and getting used to the team’s systems but nobody enjoys losing and a third Kazan goal on a second-period breakaway triggered a big fightback.

There were already signs of a threat. Kyle Wood hit the bar before that third goal went in. Eventually the pressure paid off and Jayden Halbgewachs opened his account for the club in the 36^th minute. Tyler Graovac’s attempt at a delicate finish had visiting goalie Timur Bilyalov struggling and Halbgewachs was on hand to force home our first goal of the summer.

There was more to come. Early in the third, Chris Wilkie claimed his first Red Star goal, wiring home a close-range finish. Then we had a familiar name on the scoresheet as Parker Foo swept a Doyle Somerby feed past Bilyalov to tie the game. In the end, it wasn’t quite enough. Another power play goal late on gave Ak Bars the verdict, but this was a useful and competitive work-out to start our summer action.