Russian Diary: Live from Podolsk

By Goddess Sasha, The Hockey Goddesses
January 10, 2015


I’ve been a bit remiss in keeping fans up to date on our Russian adventures, but it’s been a whirlwind tour of work , travel all over Moscow region and a very quick trip to Chelyabinsk for interviews and meeting media people from all over the world.

Although it’s the middle of the night, or at least very early morning for those of you in North America, tonight I’m going to live blog and try to put some thoughts down as I watch Moscow region Vityaz Poldosk take on Zagreb Medvechak.

Vityaz arena is quite full.  It’s still the holidays in Russia, and a Saturday 5 p.m. game brings many families out — more than we’ve seen in our past trips, but the “ultras” section is quite small tonight.  While Russians aren’t much for the fanfare of a big production that might detract from the game, the KHL is trying to provide some good in-game entertainment, again, much more than on past trips.  A jumboton, cleaver video and a pregame presentation of dueling historical “Knights”  (“Vityaz” or “витязь” in Russian) gets cheers from the Russian crowd.

1st Period, 10:00

We finally see a goal.  The game has been tight, despite the large ice that seems to allow a lot of skating and puck movement.  Canadian Pascal Pelletier beats a Vityaz defenseman in the zone and make a pretty move and a beautiful shot.

The Zagreb team has mostly North Americans on the team, which certain explains the tight play despite the large ice surface.

3:31 left in the first

A bit of scrum in front of the net allows Vladislav Lisenko to pick up the puck and bury it in the net with a nice shot.

:24 left in the first

I bit of a scrum breaks out after Andrew Murray gets a hip check or perhaps knee from a Vityaz player at center ice. Interesting that because of a planned line change after the whistle there are about eight Vityaz players on the ice in the scuffle opposed to Zagreb’s five.  The end of the period causes another minor scrum, but the North Americans eventually retreat to the locker room.

Second Period 13:12

No score yet.  As one would expect, the team made largely of North Americans is forcing a tight game.

11:37 left in the second

And just like that, Vityaz moves ahead 2-1 with a goal by Alexander Kucheryavenko on his own rebound.

Another difference we’ve seen this trip is the lack of diving. Our first trip here in 2010 was filled with dives and embellishment.  It appears that has really dissipated.

For those of you who might know that (former NHLer) Maxim Afenogenov is on the Vityaz roster … he did not play two nights ago when we saw Zagreb at Atlant, and is on the 4th line tonight.  Not sure why this is.  Injury seems to be the most logical explanation, but we’ll try to find out.

End of Second:

Vityaz still looks strong, but the game is tight.  Third period just beginning.

11:45 left in the third:

Still a close game, but no scoring and no real scuffles since the first.  Zagreb continues to try the dump and chase, which looks strange on the big ice but appears to be allowing them to get some pressure on Vityaz who appear to be getting a little bit of home town reffing with regards to icing and off-side.

5:34 left in the third:

Max Afinogenov almost scores on a breakaway, which could have put the game out of reach for Zagreb as tight as it’s been.

Only 2:55 left in the game and Edvin Hedberg from Zagreb almost puts one in.  Still 2-1 Vityaz.

2:29 left in the third:

Bill Thomas from Zagreb ties up the game!  This is going to have an exciting ending.

5:00 – Start of overtime!

And Zagreb gets the winner! James Wright is the goal scorer.


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