Zvyagin’s debut and attendance record

10 November 2024

Kunlun Red Star 1 Spartak Moscow 5

This turned out to be one of those days. It felt like Spartak finished with more goals than genuine chances on an afternoon when everything went right for the visitor and Lady Luck overlooked our existence.

The Dragons handed a debut to Stepan Zvyagin, signed on loan from Dinamo Minsk during the week. The 20-year-old forward went onto the fourth line alongside Luke Lockhart and Hudson Elynuik. Zvyagin’s first appearance in Kunlun Red Star colors was watched by 5937 spectators which represents the Dragons’ attendance record for Arena Mytishchi.

However, the game got away from our guys right at the start. Just 30 seconds in, Nail Yakupov was assessed a tripping minor and Spartak opened the scoring on that PP. Although we more than held our own in terms of balance of play, the visitor was clinical in front of goal. Further tallies from Alexander Belyayev and Danil Pivchulin had us in deep trouble at the first intermission.

Down 0-3, we really needed a bright start to the second period. And, in terms of the balance of play, we had it. Unfortunately, Dmitry Nikolayev stood between us and the goals our efforts deserved. Then came the sucker punch: Adam Clendening sat for a high stick and Nikolai Goldobin made it 4-0 with Spartak’s second power play goal of the night.

Our luck was well and truly out, but at least our Luke was still in the game. Late in the second period, record appearance holder Lockhart stuffed one in from close range after Nikolayev spilled Spencer Foo’s shot. That at least gave something for the home fans to cheer, but at 1-4 going into the third it was hard to see it as the herald of a fightback.

There were more encouraging moments; Tyler Graovac fashioned a great chance just before the intermission but couldn’t find the net. Understudy goalie Kyle Keyser, brought into the game in place of Jeremy Smith after the fourth goal, pulled off another highlight reel save to deny Andrei Loktionov. Even on the PK, we posed a threat with Elynuik almost pulling off a shorthanded goal early in the third.

But it added up to little. An error in our own zone presented Loktionov with a fifth goal for Spartak and underlined the sense of frustration. Too often, the Red-and-Whites were gifted scoring chances rather than having to work for them. The scoreline flattered the visitor, but there was one last moment to cheer for the Dragons. Late in the game, Spartak forward Adam Ruzicka saw his penalty shot denied to keep the final score at 5-1.