Severstal - SKA - 3:2 OT

In Cherepovets, SKA came up short in the concluding KHL match of 2019, conceding a disappointing 2:3 overtime defeat to HC Severstal.

Severstal promptly took the lead in the opening minutes as a wicked ricochet got the better of Magnus Hellberg. Nevertheless, SKA responded before the first period ended, as defenseman Artyom Zub neatly tucked the puck beyond the opposing goalkeeper on the doorstep.

Andrei Kuzmenko subsequently handed SKA the advantage in the second stanza as his rising wrister flew into the net. However, Severstal did get back on level terms in the same period, making their pressure count with a second goal in 38th minute.

Eventually, it went all the way to overtime, where Igor Geraskin grabbed the winner for the hosts. SKA had previously wasted several clear opportunities to win it.

SKA will return to KHL action in the first week of January with an away series.

Match protocol:

Severstal - SKA - 3:2 OT (1:1, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Alexeev (Kudako, Morozov), 02.42

1:1 Zub (Tokranov, Lehtera), 17.25

1:2 Kuzmenko (Ozhiganov), 28.42

2:2 Kodola (Petunin, Vovchenko), 37.32

3:2 Geraskin (Petunin, Khlystov), 64.33

Goalkeepers: Podyapolsky - Hellberg

Shots on target: 38 - 35

Faceoffs: 21 - 32

Hits: 3 - 6

Penalty minutes: 6 - 8

Referees: Gofman, Ovchinnikov

Linesmen: Ponamarenko, Golyak

29.12.2019.