Spartak celebrates return with comeback win

Spartak, founded in 1946, had to withdraw from professional hockey two seasons ago because of financial difficulties. This season the traditional Russian club is returning to the Kontinental Hockey League. In the first game, they faced Belarussian club Dinamo Minsk in an exiting matchup. The first 40 minutes were rather ‘normal’ with Maxim Potapov and Jonathan Cheechoo soring one goal each for their respective teams.

In the 44^th minute Potapov regained the lead for Spartak, but Minsk responded, scoring the equalizer and even the go-ahead-goal in the 57^th minute thanks to a wrist shot by Matt Ellison. The game though was not over there, as Igor Radulov, brother of CSKA-superstar Alexander, beat Jeff Glass for the third time to send the game into overtime. Spartak was also able to carry the momentum into the extra time: 2 minutes and 25 seconds were played when Casey Wellman, showing all willingness to decide the game, became the reason why 7811 fans could leave the Luzhniki Sports Arena with a smile on their faces.

It was though not the only game played on Day 2 of the new KHL season. In the biggest clash of the day Omsk defeated Ufa 4:2, whereas Riga spoiled Kazan’s season debut. Also Magnitogorsk, Helsinki, Novogrod and Sochi could start their season with a win.

All results on Day 2 of the 2015/2016 KHL season:

Avangard Omsk – Salavat Yulaev Ufa 4:2
Barys Astana – Metallurg Magnitogorsk 1:2
Jokerit Helsinki – Severstal Cherepovets 3:2 SO
Torpedo Nizhny Novogrod – Lokomit Yaroslavl 4:3 OT
Sparta Moscow – Dinamo Minsk 4:3 OT
HC Sochi – Lada Togliatti 4:2
Dinamo Riga – Ak Bars Kazan 3:1

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