2022 Channel One Cup. Russia – Kazakhstan – 6:2

Russia made the perfect start to the 2022 Channel One Cup in Moscow, comfortably defeating Kazakhstan 6:2 at the CSKA Arena.

Kazakhstan were rewarded for their bright start with a goal in the third minute of proceedings. Unmarked to the left of the slot, Kirill Savitsky connected with a pinpoint pass to tap the puck past the helpless Russian goaltender Maxim Dorozhko on the powerplay.

The Kazakhs were competing on the front foot during the early stages. Nevertheless, they contrived to concede shorthanded in the 12^th minute, as Konstantin Okulov cleverly sent his effort under the pads of Kazakh netminder Nikita Boyarkin from the left faceoff circle.

We didn’t have to wait long for our go-ahead goal either. Maxim Dzhioshvili capped his debut for the senior national team with a goal, calmly knocking the puck into the right corner after receiving an accurate pass.

Possessing the momentum, Russia applied heavy pressure on the Kazakhs in the second stanza, with our third goal being scored in the 28^th minute. After he had powered his way to the slot from the left flank, Alexander Kadeikin forced the loose puck over the line after Boyarkin had failed to freeze it.

With Russia firmly on the front foot, it was no surprise to see the fourth goal arrive with seven minutes remaining in the period. Initially, the referees required a video review to determine whether Dmitry Voronkov had legally hit the jackpot from point-blank range, but the goal was duly given after a brief deliberation. The away side had passed up a rare big chance on the slot in the preceding play.

The fired-up Russians grabbed a fifth before the period was out. Moments after he had burst out of the penalty box, Kirill Semyonov found himself clean through and neatly backhanded over Boyarkin.

To their credit, Kazakhstan weren’t prepared to wave the white flag, and veteran forward Roman Starchenko registered their second goal at the start of the third period as he slid Nikita Mikhailis’ feed between the pads on the odd-man rush.

However, Russia would have their final word, as Voronkov brilliantly got the better of Boyarkin after a sloppy Kazakh defensive mistake had allowed him to skate 1-on-1.

Russia will now prepare to host Belarus in the Russian capital on Sunday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 14:30 local time.

Match protocol:

Russia – Kazakhstan – 6:2 (2:1, 3:0, 1:1)

Goals:

0:1 Savitsky (Mikhailis, Petukhov), 02.10 PPG

1:1 Okulov (Nesterov), 11.33 PPG

2:1 Dzhioshvili (Safonov, Nikishin), 14.45

3:1 Kadeikin (Yelesin), 27.44

4:1 Voronkov (Nesterov, Safonov), 32.34

5:1 Semyonov (Karnaukhov), 36.41

5:2 Starchenko (Mikhailis, Polokhov), 42.16

6:2 Voronkov (Dzhioshvili), 51.48

Goalkeepers: Dorozhko – Boyarkin

Shots: 54 – 36

Shots on target: 31 – 23

Faceoffs: 27 – 30

Hits: 10 – 5

Blocked shots: 6 – 11

Penalty minutes: 6 – 2

Referees: Oskirko, Shuvalov

Linesmen: Parikov, Sedov

17.12.2022. CSKA Arena, Moscow.