Follow me for KHL/IIHF/NHL hockey coverage Follow @A_Kalnins
It's big time hockey for one of 2020 NHL entry draft top prospects - Yaroslav Askarov who made his KHL debut on Wednesday.
It was an unexpected start for the young goalie...
In the 1st period his SKA team made sure that the young goalie would face only 4 shots against meanwhile taking care of scoring to give them a 1:0 lead after 20 minutes of hockey.
Sochi squad came out flying in the 2nd period managing to apply pressure early in the 2nd period managing to put the puck towards the net on multiple occasions. After one of those the puck went past Askarov but luckily for the young goalie it hit the post.
A shot beats Askarov but it hits the post. pic.twitter.com/7DPso5HYhW
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) November 27, 2019
It took eight minutes until Sochi finally managed to beat SKA's defense and tie the game! Sergei Shmelyov got himself a breakaway that beat Askarov.
Yaroslav Askarov has been beat on a breakaway! Puck went right between Askarov's pad and glove. Game tied 1:1 pic.twitter.com/v6ISAIKQbN
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) November 27, 2019
Just a minute later SKA re-gained their one goal lead which later extended to a two goal lead. Sochi squad kept pressuring and pressured SKA into taking two penalties giving them a 5on3 advantage for 57 seconds in which they made sure to score beating Askarov once again.
Sochi capitalize on their 5on3 man advantage to pull back within a goal. Askarov almost had it but it went in. pic.twitter.com/qQ8r1O9gyL
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) November 27, 2019
Third period began with both teams playing active hockey, exchanged penalties but eventually Sochi switched into another gear knowing that they had to score at least a goal in order to earn a point.
Askarov keeps his team up by a goal. pic.twitter.com/kFZ1etuJmX
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) November 27, 2019
Askarov keeping his team in the lead late in the 3rd period. He has looked sharp. pic.twitter.com/i0DiDa5lxg
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) November 27, 2019
An empty net goal gave SKA their two goal lead and Askarov his 1st KHL win. Young goalie faced 25 shots and made 23 saves in the game.