SKA - Avtomobilist - 1:2

The second match of this KHL home series took place today against HC Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Coming off the back of a crushing 9:0 win over Barys Astana, head coach Oleg Znarok opted to keep the team largely the same. Igor Shestyorkin and Igor Ustinsky were the starting goaltenders.

Right from the off, it was clear how Avtomobilist were going to play it. Wary of SKA's attacking power, the visitors shut up shop at the back, refusing to give our players space. Indeed, it proved to be a difficult stanza for our players, as they couldn't create much in front of Avtomobilist's net. However, with the break nearing ever closer, the away side decided to help us out. Alexander Torchenyuk committed a tripping foul, and on the ensuing powerplay, Nikita Gusev clinically snapped home from the left faceoff circle.

Nevertheless, unlike other opponents, Avtomobilist didn't lose their shape after that goal. They refused to open up, and on two rare counterattacks, they shockingly managed to work a lead for themselves - Dmitry Megalinsky made it a tied game with a thundering slap shot, and practically in the next play, Rok Ticar batted a loose puck over the line. With the Ice Palace in shock, SKA struggled to regroup. Our team did have one golden opportunity to equalise, but Sergei Plotnikov failed to hit the jackpot when all alone on the doorstep.

Unfortunately, despite needing to score in the third frame, SKA couldn't break down the sturdy Avtomobilist back line. The visitors were standing tall to the task, keeping our players on the outside. Very few clear cut chances were coming our way, and even with Igor Shestyorkin pulled for the extra skater, the team failed to net that all important second goal. 1:2 today, SKA's winning streak ends at fifteen.

Match protocol:

SKA - Avtomobilist - 1:2 (1:0, 0:2, 0:0)

Goals:

1:0 Gusev (Shipachyov, Kovalchuk), 19.55

1:1 Megalinsky, 21.50

1:2 Ticar (Gareev), 23.10

Goalkeepers: Shestyorkin - Ustinsky

Shots on target: 40 - 21

Penalty minutes: 4 - 8

Faceoffs: 40 - 12

Hits: 10 - 9

Referees: Rogachyov, Kislov

17.11.2016. Ice Palace, Saint Petersburg.