Blackhawks forward “prospect” Max Shalunov scored the first goal of the 2019-20 KHL season for CSKA Moscow against Avangard Omsk in the Opening Cup game Sunday.
Shalunov sent a shot from the bottom of the right face-off circle that sneaked past the Avangard goaltender Igor Bobkov just 11:12 into the game.
First goal of the season – Max Shalunov with a snipe show for CSKA giving them their first lead of the season. Okulov picks up the lone helper earning him his 50th career assist. pic.twitter.com/3QQDSjp7a7
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) September 1, 2019
12` Макс Шалунов с острого угла прошивает Бобкова! Есть первая шайба в сезоне! 1:0 pic.twitter.com/T5cTflgJ6d
— ХК ЦСКА Москва (@hccska) September 1, 2019
Former Blackhawks and IceHogs defenseman Cody Franson scored two goals, including an empty-netter, for Avangard.
Shalunov, a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 by Chicago, won the Gagarin Cup last season with CSKA. The 26-year-old tallied 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 20 playoff games after scoring 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 55 regular-season games.