WC-2015. Slovakia - Russia

WC-2015. Slovakia - Russia - 2:3 OT

10 May 2015

Russia's fifth match of the 2015 IIHF World Championship today took place against Slovakia. Having hammered Belarus 7:0 head coach Oleg Znarok made no changes to the line-up, with Sergei Bobrovsky keeping his place between the pipes. Julius Hudacek was his opposite number for Slovakia, as HC Barys Astana goaltender Jan Laco had to be content with a backup role.

It was the Russians who began the fastest, and Slovakia were promptly squeezed inside their own zone. Artemiy Panarin's line caused havoc just minutes in, and closing down Yevgeni Dadonov was stoned by a sharp reaction save. Out of nothing though Slovakia suddenly took the lead. Tomas Kopecky wristed when doing a full 360, and Sergei Bobrovsky didn't see it at all. That knocked Russia off their stride slightly, and it took them a good few minutes to get back on their game. Recover they did, and several clear cut opportunities came their way. Artemiy Panarin was denied by the right pad on a three on one, and on the powerplay Julius Hudacek had to keep out a number of close range attempts with the pressure building.

The reigning world champions started from where they left off in the first, and simply wouldn't leave the opponents' zone. If Julius Hudacek was seeing everything coming his way however, he was finally beaten seven minutes in. On the powerplay Sergey Mozyakin wound up, and he drove it low through the five hole. Russia were confident now, and alone by the right post Yevgeni Dadonov was shut down by an agile stop getting across. Nevertheless despite pressing with such intensity, Slovakia had the best chance right at the end of the period. With a man's advantage the puck dropped to Marian Gaborik at the doorstep, and with the Slovaks already celebrating Sergei Bobrovsky made an outstanding left pad block to somehow keep it out.

If only a Bob miracle prevented the Slovaks from regaining the lead, the woodwork came to Russia's rescue next. Marian Gaborik wristed against the bar when skating up to the left post, and then from exactly the same position Russia got lucky again. The Russians were beginning to make their lives rather dangerous, however out of they blue they struck. Vladimir Tarasenko went on a mazy skate on the right flank, cut in sharply, and fired under the goalkeeper's glove and in. That lead could have been extended immediately, however all alone Yevgeni Malkin could only hit Julius Hudacek's waiting grasp. The tension was building, and the CEZ Arena took liftoff as Slovakia got back on terms. Taking up a loose puck Marian Gaborik powered forward, and from the left wing he slapped hard into the net. All the momentum was with Slovakia now, and they came so close to grabbing a late winner. The puck was worked cleverly to the left of the crease, and Sergei Bobrovsky made a stunning save near post to take Russia to overtime.

An overtime that didn't last too long. After a couple of expert Sergei Bobrovsky stops Artemiy Panarin burst forward, shot from the left faceoff circle, and Julius Hudacek let it slip between his pads. 3:2 today, and Russia take a hard fought two points against Slovakia!

Match protocol:

Slovakia – Russia – 2:3 OT (1:0, 0:1, 1:1 – 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 Kopecky (Panik, Dravecky), 05.58

1:1 Mozyakin (Chudinov, Kulyomin), 27.07

1:2 Tarasenko (Antipin), 41.10

2:2 Gaborik (Hudacek), 47.05

2:3 Panarin, 62.06

Goalkeepers: Hudacek - Bobrovsky

Shots on target: 22 - 32

Penalty minutes: 4 - 2

Referees: Godek, Sindler