KHL stars put up a memorable show in Riga

21 Jan 2012 | Didzis Rudmanis

Today the fourth Kontinental Hockey League All-Star game took place in Riga, Latvia. The very best players of the league put up a magnificent show with the Eastern (Fedorov) team beating the Western (Ozolins) team by 15:11. Both Mikhail Anisin and Sergei Shirokov scored three goals each.

Prior the puck was dropped the traditional Skills Competition was held. The event was highlighted by a stunning 183.67 km/h shot by Alexander Ryasantsev. Another record was broken in the fastest lap contest - 13.86 by Dinamo Riga star Mikelis Redlihs, with Evgeny Kuznetsov finishing at 13.87. The previous KHL All-Star Game record was held by Denis Parshin at 13.93.

At the overcrowded Arena Riga the first goal of the game came only midway through the first period with an unstoppable shot by Martins Karsums. However, only a couple of seconds later Alexander Ryasantsev tied the game. West overtook the lead in the second half of the period with two goals by Vadim Shipachyov and Sergei Shirokov. Soon, however, the margin was decreased by a magnificent penalty shot by Ufa star Alexander Radulov. Late in the period Alexei Kalyuzhny managed to tie the game, however Shirokov responded, making it 4:3 with just 25 seconds before the end of the period.

Early in the second Mikhail Anisin scored already the fifth goal for the West. A while later Roman Cervenka scored for the East, returning it to a one goal game. Midway through the period Anisin scored a backhand goal, making it 6:4 in favour of West. Following wild ovations, both teams changed their goalies, and Chris Holt let in already the first attempt on his net by Evgeny Kuznetsov. The West soon scored also on Michael Garnett with a goal by Zbynek Irgl. Scoring continued with goals coming from Ilya Nikulin, Alexei Kalyuzhny, Brandon Bochenski as well as the third goal of the game from Anisin. The period ended with a 8:8 tie.

The first minutes of the decisive period turned out rather unsuccessful for the Western team, as Cervenka, Ryasantsev and Bochenski scored quick four goals, making it 12:8. Kirill Koltsov and Sergei Shirokov responded with two goals for the West. This initiative wasn't received well by Fedorov's team, as Jakub Petruzalek and Vladimir Tarasenko made it 14:10. Late in the third the crowd exploded when Western team captain Sandis Ozolins scored on a penalty shot. With four seconds left, Medvedev scored an empty netter, ending the All-Star weekend in Riga.

Today it was also announced that the 2013 KHL All-Star Game will take place in Chelyabinsk, the home of the current Eastern Conference leader Traktor.