Hockey clubs are touching up preparations ahead of the third KHL season. RT cast its eye over the team widely tipped to end double champions Ak Bars in the KHL.
Spartak have become known for their attacking style and a flair for attracting plenty of fans to the arena. However, defensive play and goaltenders have been a constant problem.
Signing legendary goaltender Dominik Hašek was a complete surprise, but Spartak will be hoping the 45-year old Czech Olympic champion will more than just fill the gap.
Judging from exhibition matches, the netminder – known as The Dominator – appears to be in great shape with a year-long absence from the sport not having an effect the two-time Stanley Cup winner.
Hašek is still a figure to scare and intimidate forwards as they just cannot put the puck past him – just three goals in three pre-season matches so far, which is not bad for a goaltender who was supposed to retire two years ago.
In what was their last exhibition match ahead of the season, Spartak welcomed the KHL's only rookie team Ugra. It was supposed to be an easy warm-up for the Moscow side as they broke the deadlock in the middle of the first period.
Yet Spartak failed to increase the lead, wasting several great opportunities.
The guests might be new on the block but they weren't shy in the face of seasoned opposition. Their hard work paid off, equalizing on a powerplay, and notched up a rare breach of the Dominator's wall.
Yet in the second and the third periods Spartak kept attacking, scoring a goal in each.
At first, Martin Tsibak cleverly deflected Branko Radivoevic's hard shot to find the net; the Slovakian line is still the biggest threat for Spartak's opponents.
Then, Mikhail Yakubov sealed the final score at 3-1 being the quickest on the rebound.
The Muscovites deserved the win in that entertaining friendly. Their next challenge, however, is for real – the Mayor Cup on September 2 against Krylya Sovetov.
RT
