Channel One Cup. Russia - KHL World Team - 4:1

The Russian national team breezed past the KHL World Team in the opening match of the 2024 Channel One Cup, earning a comfortable 4:1 victory.

Following a goalless first frame, Marat Khairullin finally opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the second, calmly converting when clean through.

Mikhail Grigorenko then netted on the powerplay with a trademark one-timer from the right circle, before Alexander Yelesin made it three in the 37th minute when joining the rush at close range.

Ilya Safonov made the game safe midway through the third period. Unfortunately, Libor Sulak ruined Ilya Nabokov's shutout hopes with a mere 29 seconds remaining on the clock, but it made little difference to the outcome.

Russia will return to competition action on Saturday against Belarus at the SKA Arena in Saint Petersburg. Puck-drop is scheduled for 14:00 local time.

Match protocol:

Russia - KHL World Team - 4:1 (0:0, 3:0, 1:1)

Goals:

1:0 Khairullin (Grigorenko, Yelesin), 23.52

2:0 Grigorenko (Nikishin, Kuznetsov), 32.53 PPG

3:0 Yelesin (Grigorenko, Khairullin), 36.07

4:0 Safonov (Abramov, Nikishin), 51.30

4:1 Sulak (Williams, Andreoff), 59.31

Goalkeepers: Nabokov - Smith/Rybar

Shots: 83 - 37

Shots on target: 45 - 17

Faceoffs: 26 - 27

Blocked shots: 11 - 24

Hits: 11 - 10

Penalty minutes: 2 - 4

Referees: Khazhiev, Olisov

Linesmen: Buturlin, Litvinov

12.12.2024.