CSKA Moscow faced off against SKA Saint Petersburg on December 25, 2024, at the CSKA Arena, marking yet another dramatic chapter in the KHL rivalry between these two storied franchises.
The match kicked off with stunning speed as CSKA found the back of the net twice within the first minute. Pavel Karnaukhov struck just 41 seconds in, followed rapidly by Denis Guryanov at the 57-second mark. This powerful start set the tone for the first period, which finished with CSKA leading 5-0.
Head coach Ilya Vorobyov praised his team's opening performance, calling it “fantastic.” He stated, “The first period was incredible, and even though the third period was for the opponent, victory is what matters most.” The scoreline was historical, tying the record for the fastest two goals scored at the start of any KHL match.
SKA's head coach, Roman Rotenberg, was understandably frustrated following the first period, describing it as the worst his team has experienced this season. His immediate response was to substitute starting goalkeeper Yegor Zavragin after just three goals. “We created good moments and could have capitalized on them,” Rotenberg noted, expressing disappointment over missed opportunities.
Despite being down and facing pressure, SKA rallied somewhat during the second period, managing to score only once through Sergei Sapego at 38:34 mark, which provided little relief as CSKA maintained considerable control. The turning point came during the third period, where SKA surged, netting four goals—Arseniy Grytsyuk, Ivan Demidov, and Sergey Plotnikov powered their efforts, leaving the score at 6-5.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, one of SKA’s prominent players, sustained injuries during the match after taking a heavy hit from CSKA defenseman Vladislav Provolnev early on. Reports indicate Kuznetsov left the ice for medical attention, causing anxiety among SKA fans and players alike. Rotenberg addressed the severity of Kuznetsov's injury, implying significant concerns about his recovery and future play.
With the victory, CSKA extended their winning streak to nine games and improved their standings, currently sitting third in the KHL’s Western Conference with 53 points. On the other hand, SKA remains sixth with 48 points.
This match has been noted not only for its high score but also for highlighting the intense rivalry between the two teams. Despite CSKA's earlier losses to SKA, this match tilted the balance back to the Moscow team and displayed the unpredictability and excitement of KHL hockey.
Certainly, this match will resonate with fans long after it’s over, serving as one of the most memorable encounters between CSKA and SKA, showing just how electric and unpredictable the league can be.
