Handshake Tussle?

There was a bit of an interesting moment at the conclusion of a KHL game today. While there's always a winner and a loser thanks to the shootout, this one didn't need extra time or a skills competition, but it did need officials to ensure that scuffle during the handshakes didn't spiral out of control. Yes, you read that correctly - there was a dance during the friendly send-off between the two teams. What may be most surprising is that it was the two netminders who started the skirmish!

The game between Ak Bars Kazan and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod looked a little lopsided based on standings as Kazan came into the match sitting in second-place in the KHL's Eastern Conference while Novgorod sat in eighth-place in the Western Conference. 12 points separate the two teams, but Kazan has been the better defensive team all season as they're pushing for top spot in the East while posting a five-game win streak. Novgorod was looking to build on a two-game win streak entering today's game.

Things started off well for Novgorod as they grabbed a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes off an Evgeny Svechnikov goal. They added two more goals in the second period, and put two more goals on the scoreboard in the third period. Had it not been for a Dmitrij Jaškin goal with 5:02 to play, Torpedo likely would have seen goaltender Ivan Kulbakov pitch a shutout. Instead, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod downed Ak Bars Kazan by that 5-1 score as Kulbakov stopped 33 shots for the win. There were only 16 penalty minutes in this game, so it didn't appear that there was any bad blood between the two squads.

As the teams made their way through the handshake line, the two goalies met and had a bit of a conversation. I don't know what was said in the back-and-forth, but this is where the fun started!
Again, there's no reports on what was said between the two men that would cause a skirmish like it did, and the translation of the audio from the broadcasters was no help either. Perhaps there was some exchange about how Novgorod upset Kazan with the motioning towards the scoreboard, but it appears that Ak Bars Kazan netminder Amir Miftakhov started the party when he threw a shoulder into Torpedo netminder Ivan Kulbakov's chest.

The funny part of this is that no one in the handshake line was penalized for what went on, so it looks like it will be up to the KHL disciplinary committee to evaluate whether any further penalties are needed. I doubt there will be any penalties or suspensions handed out, but we could see a few fines if the KHL wanted to send a message to both teams. If you're wondering, Novgorod next plays on Thursday while Kazan is in action again on Friday.

Torpedo head coach Igor Larionov was asked about the handshake skirmish in the post-game press conference, and he answered, "The goalie fight after the game? I don't want to go into details, there was some kind of conflict between Miftakhov and Kulbakov. I asked Bocharov about it, he tried to separate them, and they pulled his jersey from behind. That's how it all started. These are emotions. It's unpleasant to lose, especially at home, so emotions sometimes [go] overboard."

Anvar Gatiyatulin, Ak Bars head coach. had a very brief answer about the scuffle, saying, "The clash between Miftakhov and Kulbakov? A tough match, emotions run high. We'll find out everything and tell the guys where to direct their emotions."

Based on the comments, it seems this dust-up was nothing but emotions running high. I don't know if that excuses either player from showing a little more sportsmanship in the handshake line, but that's pro hockey in Russia for you. I'll keep an eye on this situation to see if either player faces further discipline, but playing in the KHL might be punishment enough, right?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!