Trans-Siberian Express

12 September 2024

The Dragons are on the rails in their upcoming games. Week two brings a visit from Lokomotiv, 2024’s beaten finalist, before we steam into the East. That big road trip takes in Amur, Admiral and Sibir.

Lokomotiv (h), Sep. 12, 1930 Moscow Time

Last season: In four meetings, the Dragons could not manage a win against Lokomotiv. However, three of those games were decided by a single-goal margin and only once did we suffer a blow-out. Historically, we’ve found life tough against Loko, with just four wins in 19 encounters. But this is a new season, and a chance to start improving that record.

Familiar faces: None

Setting the scene: Consistency was the watchword for Lokomotiv last season, and Igor Nikitin’s team are doing it again this term. Noted for disciplined defensive play, the Railwaymen have allowed just two goals this season and Daniil Isayev recorded back-to-back shut-outs against Lada and SKA. That has Loko top of the standings with three wins from three (a record we would share had we been able to hold onto our lead against Severstal). Those wins include an Opening Cup success at Metallurg, bringing the curtain-raising prize to Yaroslavl for the first time at the third attempt. Ominously, perhaps, big summer signings Alexander Radulov and Byron Froese have not scored heavily so far. The pair got their first points of the season with assists in the 2-0 win over SKA, which might be a warning to the rest of the KHL.

Amur (a), Sep. 15, 1030 Moscow Time

Last season: We played Amur twice, both back in Sep. 2023. The first game, in Khabarovsk, brought a shoot-out win after Zak Leslie’s late goal earned a 1-1 tie in regulation. At home, we suffered a 0-2 loss.

Familiar faces: The Dragons’ top scorer last season, Devin Brosseau, joined Amur in the summer after setting a KRS record for points in a single campaign. On defense, Viktor Baldayev is also well-known to Red Star fans after his spell with us in 2020/21. In our ranks, the fire-breathing Dragon Nail Yakupov had a short time with Amur in 2020/21, playing 15 games and scoring 7 (1+6) points before moving to Avangard.

Setting the scene: This is Amur’s first home game of the season. The opening road trip started slowing: the Tigers failed to score in their opening two appearances, losing in Minsk and Balashikha. Such a shot-shy start was a surprise. Amur added some impressive firepower in the summer, with the capture of former SKA man Alexander Galchenyuk looking like a real statement of intent. Things improved at Barys, with our old friend Devin Brosseau on target in a 5-1 win. Then Wednesday’s trip to Avangard brought a shoot-out win to halt the Hawks’ winning start to the season. Since we moved to Mytishchi, Khabarovsk has gone from one of our shortest trips to part of the annual epic Far East tour. However, this time both teams face travel hardship: Amur completes a long road trip the day before our game against Lokomotiv.

Admiral (a), Sep. 17, 1230 Moscow Time

Last time: It’s a quick turnaround this season. Just 11 days before the return game on Russia’s Pacific coast, the Dragons and the Sailors played out a thriller in Mytishchi. Two goals from Tomas Jurco, including the coolest penalty shot you’re likely to see, helped us to a 4-4 tie in regulation, with Admiral’s Yegor Petukhov potting a hat-trick. The excitement was so much that our OT winner sparked confusion: initially Nail Yakupov was credited an assist, but later that was upgraded to his second goal of the game and his second impressive GWG of the season.

Familiar faces: Red Star’s summer signing Yury Pautov spent the previous two seasons in Vladivostok. He helped the Sailors make the playoffs in 2022/23, and was a regular for Leonids Tambijevs last term, with 57 appearances. He didn’t play against his former club at the start of the season, and thus missed the chance to face ex-Red Star forward Jack Rodewald.

Setting the scene: Unlike Amur, Admiral has found scoring goals fairly straightforward. The problems are at the other end. After getting up 2-0 on Vityaz, the Sailors were hauled back to 2-2 before edging the win. In a goalfest against us, neither goalie looked overly secure. Then at CSKA another lead evaporated in a 2-6 loss. After that game in Moscow, Leonids Tambijevs had nine days to bring his players home and work with them. Much of that time would surely be spent on defensive drills – but will the message sink in ahead of our meeting?

Sibir (a), Sep. 19, 1530 Moscow Time

Last season: Both meetings finished with 3-2 scorelines. On the road, Sibir got the verdict in a hard-fought battle. Back on home ice, the Dragons took revenge with an OT win: Kyle Wood, Tyler Wong and Brandon Yip found the net, outscoring Sergei Dubakin’s double.

Familiar faces: Two of KRS’s most popular imports are currently reunited at Sibir. Trevor Murphy was a powerful two-way defenseman in 2020/21, with 27 (10+17) points from 60 games. He returned the following year but got a move to Ak Bars during that season. Forward Taylor Beck played in the 2017/18 and 18/19 seasons and had 35 (13+22) points in 60 games through that time.

Setting the scene: When Vadim Yepanchintsev took over as head coach at Sibir, the expectation was that he would get that back into the playoffs. However, the early indicators are not hugely encouraging. Of course, with just three games played, it would be premature to write off any team’s season. But two goals scored in three games is not encouraging. There was a 1-2 Siberian derby loss at Avangard to start things off, but things got worse after that. A 0-4 defeat at Avtomobilist drew criticism from team captain Sergei Shirokov and it was followed by a 2-8 drubbing at CSKA on Tuesday. By the time the Dragons hit town, our host will have entertained Avangard and Neftekhimik. Those games might give a clearer idea of what to expect in Novosibirsk this season.