Lokomotiv 2004 and Mikhailov Academy look to make moves in early-season matchups
Each week, World Hockey Hub will highlight a few of the most exciting upcoming games. From the hottest rivalries to the biggest tournaments, we focus on matchups that should have your attention this week.
Lokomotiv 2004 Yaroslavl Looks to Build Resume
Lokomotiv 2004 Yaroslavl will take on CSKA Moscow in a clash of 2006-born teams on Sunday, October 2.
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| Sunday, October 2 |
Lokomotiv 2004 has found solid footing out of the gate, posting a 2-1-1 record. After starting their season off with a 6-1 blowout of Atlant Mytishchi, they fell to Yantar Moscow in a shootout. They quickly rebounded with a victory against HC Balashikha just a week later. In their most recent match last weekend, they fell to Dynamo Moscow 3-1.
Defenseman Daniil Brusnikin has been carrying the hot stick for Lokomotiv, tallying five goals thus far. Despite having a minus-3 rating, Brusnikin’s ability to easily weave into the attack for his club has contributed largely to their early-season success.
If Brusnikin can tighten up his defensive numbers, it could mean big things for Lokomotiv moving forward in a very competitive 2006 Russian group.
Bolstering the Lokomotiv 2004 attack behind Brusnikin are forwards Matvey Kazakov (2G, 2A) and Kirill Ignatiev (3A).
CSKA has started out of the gates flying into the 2022-23 season, amassing an 8-1-0 record. They were ranked number 1 in the World Hockey Hub preseason rankings among 2006-born Russian clubs, and have proven thus far why they deserve the top spot.
They have made easy work of top-tier opponents such as Krylia Sovetov, Spartak Moscow, SKA Strelna, and Dynamo Moscow, scoring at least three goals in each game. Across all matches into this season, they have been getting it done at both ends of the ice, finding the back of the net 42 times, while only allowing 15 goals.
And who has been leading that potent offense? Look no further than the three-headed power trio of defenseman Alexey Rodionov (2G, 11A) and forwards Ivan Okunev (7G, 5A) and Alexey Dontsov (3G, 6A). All while being backstopped by the incredible goaltending tandem of Mikhail Egorov and Mikhail Astakhov.
However, they were dealt their first setback of the season with a 5-3 loss to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on Sunday. Eager to get back to their winning ways, they will eye the upcoming game against Lokomotiv 2004 as a chance to prove that loss was nothing more than a minor stumble.
Throughout the course of past seasons, these two clubs have met a total of 21 times, with CSKA leading the all-time meetings 18-2-1.
Both contain depth and offensive-minded defenders; this will be an interesting matchup to see if Lokomotiv can prove they can skate with one of the premier teams in its age group.
Mount St. Charles Looks to Rebound
On Friday, the Long Island Gulls will travel to Rhode Island for an afternoon tilt against Mount St. Charles. With both teams firing on all cylinders as of late, this one is shaping up to be a meeting of two very talented 2007-born rosters.
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| Friday, September 30 @ 2 pm EST Adelard Arena |
Rolling through a continued stretch of stellar play, the Gulls come into this matchup fresh off a weekend that saw them defeat Team Minnesota 5-2, bringing their overall record to 13-2-0.
In the midst of an 11-game winning streak the Gulls have been propelled by a potent offense. They have bombarded opponents with their high offensive ability, and have relied on tight-checking defense to prevent any opportunities in the defensive zone.
Currently maintaining a plus-37 goal differential, no team has been able to slow down the Gulls thus far.
For the host team, Mount comes into this game on the heels of a two-game weekend that saw them best the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies before falling to Little Caesars; their first loss of the season.
Much like the Gulls, Mount St. Charles has relied on a bombastic attack and stingy defense to keep the opposition at bay in most contests.
If these two clubs live up to their reputations, there might be some fireworks in store for this game… and both goaltenders should be prepared to see good amounts of rubber come their way.
Showdown set between Don Mills and Ottawa Myers
While many 2009-born Canadian teams are beginning to ramp up their action into this season, the Don Mills Flyers and Ottawa Myers Automotive have already gotten wins under their belts.
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| Saturday, October 1 @ 9:20 am EST Westwood Arenas |
After kicking off their season with a 3-0 shutout of the North York Rangers, the Flyers have had a bit of a lull in their schedule. Ottawa kicked off their season on September 18 when they edged out a 5-4 win against the Upper Canada Cyclones.
With both teams still fresh into the young season, this matchup provides an opportunity to continue the success both clubs have found in the early weeks of the new season.
Mikhailov Academy Looks for a victory against Vityaz
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| Sunday, October 2 |
Mikhailov Academy has started solidly this season, going 6-4-2 in twelve contests.
In the midst of dropping their last two games, they are in desperate need of returning to the win column. With three games having been played between these two programs, Vityaz has won all three, so Mikhailov Academy will have to do something it’s never done before.
This game affords Mikhailov Academy not only a chance for redemption in the all-time series, but to also bolster their standing in the 2008 Russian-born rankings. The club currently sits in seventh.
The dynamic attack of Boris Borin, (8G, 7A), Nikita Fateev (6G, 6A) and Matvei Cheranev (5G, 7A) leads the way for Mikhailov Academy. All three players are paramount to any hopes of emerging victorious against Vityaz.
Vityaz has been an early bright spot among Russian clubs, and after recording a perfect 11-0-0 record to begin the season, their streak was halted with a 4-1 loss to CSKA Moscow. They rebounded last weekend with a winning effort, downing Khimik 6-2.
Refreshed and back in the win column, they know a matchup against Mikhailov Academy is just what is needed to continue their success.
And while Mikhailov Academy boasts some talented forwards, Vityaz can counter with a versatile group of their own.
Maxim Seldemirov’s penchant for finding the back of the net in just about any situation has propelled him to the top of the stat sheet, recording 15 points (8G, 7A). While not carrying the entire offensive output on his shoulders, forwards Gleb Pugachev (5G, 8A) and Timofey Gusarov (6G, 4A) can be relied on for consistent secondary scoring.
But Vityaz’s true secret weapon lies on the blue line in defenseman Vasily Savchuk. Savchuk’s six points (2G, 4A) and solid defensive numbers show that he can get it done at both ends of the ice.
All eyes will be on this one to see if Vityaz can continue their domination of Mikhailov Academy, or if a new script can be written in the next chapter of this series.
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