Obviously, Matvei Michkov is back in the KHL playing for SKA St. Petersburg. With many not having a way of watching SKA games or not having the time since a lot of the games are during the middle of the day, this is going to be your monthly recap on Michkov in Russia.
Michkov was scratched for the first two games, which you probably knew if you’re on Flyers twitter. In Russia, it’s a lot harder for younger players to get into the lineup, especially on a loaded team like SKA, even if they’re better than other players, but had his season debut on September 6 against Torpedo.
Sept 6 vs Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
The belief was that he’d serve as the 13th forward, but played right wing on the third line with Ilya Fedotov and Marat Khusnutdimov.
Michkov played well in his first few shifts. Nothing outstanding, but nothing bad either. He did get a good chance in the slot during his second shift, but the puck bounced to him and was a hard one to control.
Overall, not a great game, but that’s not really on Michkov. He was given about six minutes of ice time the whole game and was treated like a 13th forward instead of a third line player.
Loan to Sochi
After being scratched for three of the first four games and barely playing in the one game he did suit up for, Michkov was loaned to Sochi, like last year, on September 11, for the rest of the season.
Sept 13 vs Severstal Cherepovets
This is exactly why Michkov was loaned. If he wasn’t getting the minutes with SKA, he got them in Sochi. He played over 18 minutes in his Sochi season debut playing second-line right-winger.
Michkov almost got an assist on the first goal, but a player on the opposing team touched it just after he did that led to that first goal.
No need to fret, Michkov would get the points. He would have two secondary assists. I know secondary assists are somewhat frowned upon, but they shouldn’t, because Michkov definitely helped with those two goals. His first assist cam on Sochi’s second goal. He would fire a pass from their own end to the middle of the ice where a teammate would one touch the puck to Jesse Graham who would go in and score. His second assist came on Sochi’s go ahead goal on the power play. He got the puck off the draw, passed it to his teammate who seemed to whiff on the shot, but turned into a pass to Khafizov in the slot who would pot Sochi’s fourth goal of the game.
He wouldn’t add to the scoresheet in OT, but played well as Sochi would win 5-4 in OT.
On the season, Michkov has 0 goals and 2 assists for 2 points in 2 games.
Sept 15 vs Sibir Novosibirsk
Another strong outing for Michkov with Sochi. He played in the top 6 and played a little over 15 minutes. Michkov had 10 shots on goal (SOG). Though Michkov had a lot of shots, he would be held without a point. But he did set up several great chances.
In the first period, towards the very end, he would tip a shot on net and go in to see if he could knock it in, but was not able to. He had a drive down the right-hand boards and had a nice shot. He had a couple of chances but couldn’t finish it all himself or the defense broke up a pass.
Michkov sits at 0 goals and 2 assists for 2 points in 3 games.
Sept 18 vs Severstal Cherepovets
Michkov continued to show that what he needed was more ice time. Michkov would get over 15:30 in ice time. He would have a couple good defensive plays as he would block two shots during the game and a couple good defensive breakups in his own defensive zone.
On the offensive side of things, Michkov would get three shots on net and would try to set up multiple high danger chances that just didn’t work out. Michkov seems to have the vision for a great play, but the defense, or sometimes a teammate, breaks it up. He would get a secondary assist on a power play goal late in the third.
Michkov has 0 goals and 3 assists for 3 points in 4 games this season.
Sept 21 vs Traktor Chelyabinsk
Michkov continues to play on the right wing for the second line.
He had a great game. The first two periods were pretty normal for him. Playing well and getting chances/setting up some plays that wouldn’t end up in goals, but great looks and effort.
Then in the third period it happened. Early in the third Michkov scored his first goal of the season to tie the game up 2-2. A shot from the point hit the glass and bounced right to Michkov’s stick and he was able to bat the puck in. Michkov looked like a man on a mission after his first goal. He would be rewarded with less than a minute to go in the third when Michkov streaked in on the left side and fired a missile into the net from the top of the circle to give Sochi a 5-4 lead and ultimately the game winner.
Michkov has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 5 games.
Sept 26 vs HC Spartak Moscow
Michkov would have more of a usual game against Spartak. He would nearly 14 minutes of ice time and would make some nice plays but not much really coming to fruition.
On the defensive side, Michkov has been improving, especially showing he’s not afraid to put his body on the line as he blocked a shot and had three hits.
Michkov has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 6 games.
Sept 28 vs CSKA Moscow
Just an absolutely awful game by Sochi. They were held in their defensive zone for a good majority of the game. This did give us an opportunity to see more of Michkov’s defensive abilities in his 17 minutes of ice time.
Michkov was in the middle of several nice defensive plays including a turnover and blocking a shot. Unfortunately, like the rest of his team, it was hard to get offense going. He had a few good pressures on the forecheck, but besides his one shot, there wasn’t much offense.
Michkov has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 7 games.
Sept 30 vs Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
After an abysmal game vs CSKA, Sochi came out swinging. Michkov would get the primary assist on Sochi’s second goal in the first period. And would continue to apply offensive pressure.
In the second, Michkov would continue to be in a frenzy. He would get coincidental penalties with a Torpedo player for roughing, he’d also get in a net front scrum in the third.
A little under halfway through the third, Michkov broke the 2-2 tie with a rebound goal that would end up being the game winner. Torpedo’s coach challenged for offsides, but the goal stood and Sochi went on the power play which Michkov would get out there for and then draw a holding penalty making it a 5-on-3 power play, which would result in another goal. Sochi would win 5-2 with Michkov getting his second game winning goal in three games.
Michkov had 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 8 games during September. With Sochi, Michkov is at a point-per-game pace.
By Noah Caplan (@Phlyers24)
Photo creds: sanjosehockeynow.com
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