Game three. Avtomobilist – SKA

Game three. Avtomobilist – SKA – 2:1 OT

21 March 2024

In game three of the quarter-finals of the 2023/2024 KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs, SKA conceded a bitter 1:2 overtime loss to Avtomobilist away in Yekaterinburg.

SKA consequently now trail 0-3 in the series.

The two teams set an intense tempo in the first period.

Avtomobilist were presented with the best opportunities. On one occasion, defenseman Sergei Zborovsky appeared certain to score following a defensive mix-up from SKA, but Nikita Serebryakov kept him off the board with a superb pad stop.

Just like in Saint Petersburg, Avtomobilist were happy for SKA to boast the majority of possession, however they prevented our players from carving open any real chances on the slot thanks to their incredibly compact play. The fact that SKA failed to test home goaltender Evgeny Alikin once from the crease in the frame – in comparison to Avtomobilist’s three efforts on target from the same area – speaks volumes.

A different approach was required.

SKA did manage to protect the puck inside the attacking zone for longer periods in the second stanza. However, it was admittedly all far too comfortable and predictable for Avtomobilist, with nearly all of our attempts being unleashed from distance and Alikin having a clear view of the puck’s movement.

The deadlock was broken in thoroughly disappointing circumstances in the 32^nd minute.

Following a poor misplaced pass, we allowed Anatoly Golyshev to speed towards our net on the left flank, and his ensuing attempt caught Serebryakov cold near-post. Such goals have sadly been the story of the series so far.

Our task could have become doubly as difficult before the second period was out, but Serebryakov made a fantastic acrobatic save against the clean-through Yegor Alexeev.

Serebryakov’s heroics in our net provided vital in the third period.

Our long-awaited equaliser arrived midway through the frame a mere matter of seconds after Serebryakov had wonderfully kept the difference at one. Speeding away on the counter, the lively Arseniy Gritsyuk finally got the better of the impressive Alikin at the second attempt, as his shot looped up and over the goalkeeper.

Both teams subsequently wasted glorious opportunities during the remainder of regulation.

With the goal at his mercy, Semyon Kizimov contrived to somehow slide the puck wide of the open right corner for Avtomobilist, before a combination of Pavel Dedunov and Emil Galimov were shut out by Alikin’s sprawling pads.

To our dismay, Avtomobilist dominated practically the entirety of overtime and eventually made their advantage count in the 78^th minute.

Unmarked to the right of the crease, Curtis Valk whacked the puck into the near corner after Brooks Macek had pounced on an unforced error from Maxim Fedotov.

The fourth match of the series will take place at the Uralets Arena on Saturday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 14:30 Moscow time.

Match protocol:

Avtomobilist – SKA – 2:1 OT (0:0, 1:0, 0:1, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Golyshev (Romantsev), 31.38

1:1 Gritsyuk (Bardakov), 50.10

2:1 Valk (Macek), 77.12

Goalkeepers: Alikin – Serebryakov

Shots: 51 – 101

Shots on target: 24 – 43

Faceoffs: 24 – 49

Blocked shots: 39 – 16