After being sent on loan by SKA St. Petersburg, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov made his debut for HK Sochi for the second time. Sochi was playing against fellow Western Conference team Severstal Cherepovets, and with the help of Michkov, were able to emerge victorious with a 5-4 overtime win.
Early in the third period, the Flyers prospect earned the primary assist on a Jesse Graham goal, bringing Sochi within one of Severstal and making the score 3-2. Then, Michkov would assist a second goal, this coming on the powerplay via a Timur Khafizov tally. The second goal would grant Sochi a 4-3 lead over Severstal, but ultimately, as the score suggests, Severstal would find the equalizer to force an overtime period.
The 18-year-old did not have a hand in his club’s overtime winner, but the outing as a whole was a very productive step forward. Michkov’s final stat line was two assists on 20 shifts, 18:04 TOI, two shots on goal, a blocked shot, and a hit. Obviously, the Russian is not overly physical at a modest 5-foot-10 and 172 lbs, but the Flyers should be encouraged by both the offensive production and the involvement on the defensive side of the puck.
This is something Flyers fans can get used to as well; having your top prospect getting significant and meaningful playing time is far more comforting than the healthy scratches from weeks past. Today’s game only scratches the surface of what Michkov is capable of, and this is something that should continue throughout the season in all likelihood.
As long as the young star is able to put his bad memories and family tragedy past him in a positive way, today is a day worth celebrating. Michkov was finally able to get back to doing what he loves at a high level, and now Flyers fans and Sochi fans alike can relish in this performance and this victory.