Yugra - SKA

Yugra - SKA - 2:4

24 October 2015

SKA’s second match of this away series took place today against HC Yugra in Khanty Mansiysk. Interim head coach Sergei Zubov was forced into a couple of changes, with Evgeny Ketov suspended and Nikita Gusev unable to take part. As a result Alexander Barabanov was put into the second line, and Ilya Kovalchuk partnered Vadim Shipachyov and Evgeny Dadonov in the first. Vladislav Fokin was Mikko Koskinen’s opposite number.

Both teams came out playing at a high tempo, and it was Yugra who had the best of the early chances. An early Anton Burdasov interference call only helped their cause, and Mikko Koskinen saved well from Igor Volkov and Pavel Varfolomeev at point blank range. The home fans were encouraged, but a SKA five on three paved the way for our team to make the break through. Vladislav Fokin brilliantly gloved slappers from Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Kuteikin, but he was unable to prevent Evgeny Dadonov from poking over the line on a rebound. SKA began to dominate after that goal, and Evgeny Artyukhin almost made it two when twisting to the doorstep. The home goaltender was in inspired form though, and against the run of play Yugra equalised out of the blue. The puck was slapped on net from the blue line, and Vitaly Sitnikov tipped in. Despite that goal SKA weren’t willing to go into the first break level, and scored a huge second goal with the clock ticking down. On a fast break Jarno Koskiranta took aim between the circles, and found the net expertly.

Just like in the first it was Yugra who held the initiative at the beginning of the second frame, however it was SKA who were more clinical in front of goal. Alexander Barabanov beautifully went coast to coast, sent the puck across from the right post, and Joakim Lindstrom was on hand to tap home. After that goal our players opted to sit back in defence more, and in turn Yugra created a number of high quality scoring chances. Igor Volkov whacked off target on the slot, and then Kirill Rasskazov’s two on one effort was expertly saved by Mikko Koskinen’s blocker. SKA were struggling to get out of their own zone, and overall Mikko made 12 saves in the period.

Our players had the game under complete control moving into the third, and didn’t allow Yugra to get set up in their zone. The first ten minutes of the frame flew by with little happening at either end, and with nine remaining Evgeny Dadonov finished it as a contest. Evgeny moved beyond the blue line, wound up, and beat Vladislav Fokin under the blocker. Yugra still wouldn’t go away though, and managed to make it a nervy finish. SKA coughed up the puck, and to the right the unmarked Andrei Ivanov one timed in. Yugra pressed hard looking to mount a memorable comeback, but our team managed to hold on. 4:2 today, and SKA will next take to the ice in Omsk against HC Avangard on Monday.

Match protocol:

Yugra – SKA – 2:4 (1:2, 0:1, 1:1)

Goals:

0:1 Dadonov (Kovalchuk, Shipachyov), 13.35

1:1 Sitnikov (Yatsenko, Ugolnikov), 18.16

1:2 Koskiranta (Lindstrom, Barabanov), 19.18

1:3 Lindstrom (Barabanov, Chudinov), 24.25

1:4 Dadonov (Kovalchuk), 51.19

2:4 Ivanov (Volkov, Varfolmeev), 53.48

Goalkeepers: Fokin – Koskinen

Shots on target: 26 – 29

Penalty minutes: 8 – 6