Ignorance Is Bliss In Russia

This article is all sorts of "yikes" when it comes to Russian hockey, but CSKA played in the opening game of the KHL schedule yesterday against Ak Bars Kazan. You might be wondering why CSKA is wearing these uniforms as opposed to their normal red uniforms, and it seems that general manager Sergei Fedorov decided to let his team, who has ceremonial and historical links to Russia's armed forces, wear these pro-military jerseys, complete with military symbol "Z" above the TV numbers, for the pregame warm-up today. I know I shouldn't be shocked over the Russian military complex's insecurity, but this is a whole new level of overt disrespect for everyone who isn't Russian.

For those are are more in tune with the usage of the "Z" images, the symbol has taken on a whole new meaning as those who sport the symbol range from people who actively support the illegal invasion of Ukraine to being white supremacists to embracing the denial of rights to anyone who is different in any way that includes race, religion, and sexual orientation as examples. It has been compared to the use of the swastika symbol in Nazi Germany, so it doesn't carry any sort of positive connotation. In short, it's a bad idea to be seen wearing this logo in all situations.

And yet here we have one of the KHL's most storied and historic franchises publicly telling everyone that they are squarely and wholly behind Putin's invasion of Ukraine and his common refrains of referring to Ukrainian people as "Nazis". It's baffling that it's 2023 and this is being seen as "acceptable" by a country of 143 million people, but I guess that Soviet state-sponsored television is doing Putin's propaganda work well.

That's not the only stupid thing that CSKA did today either. If you recall, there was a story about goaltender Ivan Fedotov about three weeks ago about how the IIHF came down hard on Fedotov and CSKA for failing to respect the contract signed by the goaltender with the Philadelphia Flyers in May 2022. Because Fedotov and CSKA knowingly signed a deal to play in the KHL while his NHL contract was still needing to be fulfilled, the IIHF issued the following penalties to Fedotov and CSKA, respectively:

"A four (4) month suspension on playing in official national and international games during playing periods. The suspension shall take effect on 1 September 2023 (first CSKA regular season game) and conclude on 31 December 2023."

... and...

"A one (1) season ban on International Transfers taking effect on 11 August 2023 and concluding on 10 August 2024."

So the obvious question needs to be answered: did Fedotov play for CSKA in the game today? Well, the stats don't lie, right?

59:30 for time-on-ice, five goals-against in that time, and he certainly played by all accounts. This is likely going to spark additional discipline being handed down from the IIHF after IIHF President Luc Tardif stated before the game, "If Fedotov plays in the KHL game today, the IIHF will initiate the disciplinary process. CSKA knows this too. There are no further comments at this time."

It seems pretty clear that Russia has no intention of honouring the decision handed down by the IIHF, so we'll see what the IIHF does now that we know that the previous ruling meant nothing to the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. Frankly, their membership in the IIHF should be terminated if they can't follow simple rules from international hockey's governing body. After years of bending rules and ignoring rules, this should be the final straw when it comes to Russia's current suspension from all events run by the IIHF.

The ball is back in the IIHF's court as it stands, and it will be up to them to issue new disciplinary rulings that force Russia to get back in line if they want to ever find their way out of hockey purgatory. I'm not sure how many chances one country should get when it comes to doing the opposite of all rulings against them, but I feel it might be time to cut Russia loose.

Maybe they'll finally get the message when they realize there are no other countries against whom they can play. After their two blatent acts of disrespect that they fully embraced and endorsed today, any action the IIHF takes that doesn't involve the termination of their membership is simply another slap on the wrist.

Just for the record, CSKA lost the game today against Ak Bars Kazan by a 5-2 score today. Fedotov looked rather unremarkable in the CSKA net as he struggled with shots, and it's my hope he struggles all season. Just because I'm spiteful like that.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!