Defeat in final road game

15 March 2025

Metallurg Magnitogorsk 7 Kunlun Red Star 1

The Dragons played their final road game of the season in Magnitogorsk – and fell victim to a bout of homesickness. The strain of 10 consecutive games away from home took its toll and, despite some promising signs in the second period, this turned into an ugly loss.

The line-up was similar to the previous 5-2 win at Sochi with Patrik Rybar continuing in goal. The most notable change saw Austin Wong return to the team for the first time since March 1. He was named as the 13^th forward for today’s game.

Defending champion Metallurg was looking to move ahead of Salavat Yulaev into second place in the Eastern Conference and started this game hard and fast. The first period saw Rybar make 24 saves to ensure we remained goalless at the intermission. Our offense had a tough time: although we created a few opportunities on the breakaway we managed just four shots on goal.

Ironically, though, while under the cosh we managed to stay in the game. In the second period, when our guys started to ask questions at the other end, Magnitka built a three-goal lead. Yet the opening goal might have been Kunlun’s: in the second minute, Kyle Rau tested Alexander Smolin from close range and the young Metallurg goalie followed that up to deny Spencer Foo on the rebound.

Even a home power play – the first of the game – did not greatly alarm us. Yet back at equal strength, we allowed Denis Zernov to open the scoring. Within a minute it was 2-0, and by the 29^th minute Roman Kantserov was adding a third goal for the defending champion.

Even so, we were bringing more than the scoreline suggested. Jayden Halbgewachs hit the post, and we matched Metallurg more or less shot-for-shot in the middle stanza. Reward came in the closing stages when our first power play took 20 seconds to find the mark. Jan Drozg exchanged passes with Adam Clendening, then fired home from the top of the left-hand circle at the second attempt. That reduced the deficit in the 36^th minute and raised the prospect of a competitive final frame.

The key was to get a strong start to the third. Unfortunately, that plan was shattered after just 40 seconds when Alexander Petunin added a fourth for the home team. It felt like a hammer blow, and even though a power play brought a decent chance for Tomas Jurco to get us back within two goals, that was effectively the end of the contest.

The closing stages brought a further goal for Igor Geraskin, then two quick goals pushed the final score to a painful margin.

And so our road games are done. All that remains are two more meetings in Mytishchi. On Tuesday, Severstal is the visitor before we wrap up 2024/25 at home to Avangard next Saturday.