Ivan Demidov // Credit: Amy Irvin, The Hockey Writers
Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov has scored his first goal in the KHL. The 18-year-old forward of SKA St. Petersburg scored his first goal on Sunday in a 4-3 overtime win against Lada. Demidov scored at 01:59 of the first period, playing on the rebound after hitting the post. Evgeny Kuznetsov, who played over 700 NHL games for the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes, assisted his first goal.
"When I scored, I dropped a monkey off my shoulders," Demidov said in a one-on-one interview with RG.org after the game against HC Lada (4-3 OT). "I was upset after every game because I had so many scoring chances. I couldn’t score for a long time. Today, I managed to score on the first shift. I came out charged up. Thanks to everyone who gave me a chance. My girlfriend and mother were at the game. It was really nice that the whole stand jumped up when I scored. Great emotions.
"I think I’m almost fully adjusted to the KHL level," Demidov said. "I feel confident on the ice. I’m already making many plays, shooting the puck, creating scoring chances, dangling opponents. My teammates are encouraging me too."
"There were a lot of posts and crossbars on my shots," Demidov said during the press conference a few minutes earlier. "Maybe I needed to pee on my hands to gain some luck, but I managed to score without doing it."
It was Demidov's fifth game in the KHL. He has one goal and one assist now, playing mostly on the third line with Kuznetsov.
SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg was inspired: "This is a crucial historical event for us. Demidov has the potential to score in every game, and we will work on making it happen. He has to use every chance he has. Demidov and Kuznetsov play on the same line because they have solid skills and a similar hockey IQ. They have not displayed their best game yet, as Kuznetsov is still adjusting to our style of play to showcase his top-level hockey."
Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals.
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