Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Evgeny Kuznetsov tried one of the strangest shootout attempts you'll see, and head coach Viktor Kozlov could only watch as the play went nowhere.
Friday in Ufa, Salavat Yulaev and Dynamo Moscow battled to a 2-3 shootout finish. But the moment people will remember isn't the final score.
It's Kuznetsov gliding in like he had all night.
When his turn came in the shootout, the veteran center barely moved his feet. No burst. No real approach speed. Just a slow drift from center ice.
He held his stick with one hand for most of the attempt, almost like he was stickhandling during a warm-up lap.
The pace was so slow that the goalie had plenty of time to stay square and wait for the move.
A shootout attempt that puzzled the arena
Once Kuznetsov reached the crease, he finally tried to deke the goaltender. The move came late and without much separation.
The goalie stayed patient and shut the door with a routine stop.
No dramatic save required. Just good positioning and a calm glove.
Shootouts often bring creativity. Players change speeds, freeze goaltenders, or try something unexpected. Kuznetsov has built a reputation for unusual attempts over the years.
This one crossed into a different category.
Instead of using pace to create doubt, he removed it completely. The entire sequence unfolded almost in slow motion.
The result looked awkward more than clever.
For a player with Kuznetsov's hands and vision, fans expected a little more bite in the attempt.
Dynamo Moscow eventually secured the shootout win when Nikita Gusev scored the deciding goal in the skills competition.
Meanwhile, Kuznetsov's attempt quickly made the rounds online. Clips of the slow approach spread within minutes.
Some fans called it creativity. Others called it one of the strangest shootout tries they've seen.
Either way, it's the kind of moment that sticks with a player. Shootouts are built for highlights.
This one became a highlight for all the wrong reasons.
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