SKA - Avtomobilist

SKA - Avtomobilist - 2:3 SO

3 February 2016

For the penultimate home game of the 2015/2016 KHL regular season, SKA took on HC Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Pavel Buchnevich was moved down to the third line for this one, as Alexander Kadeikin was instated into the first. Mikko Koskinen was our starting netminder, and Igor Ustinsky was between Avtomobilist’s pipes.

Just like in the previous match it was a very slow start inside the Ice Palace, and the fans didn’t have a lot of goalmouth action to enjoy. The tempo didn’t seem willing to pick up, and Avtomobilist’s tight defence was keeping our main attackers on the outside. It needed something to liven up proceedings, and unfortunately a Maxim Chudinov penalty did just that. With Maxim in the box Alexei Mikhnov peeled down the left wing, cut in sharply, and his attempted backhander deflected into the net off Andrei Zubarev’s skate. That was an unwanted setback, and the visitors managed to prevent SKA from creating any real danger on their own crease. Ilya Kablukov did have one big chance, however his tricky tip was pushed on to the left post by an outstreched Igor Ustinsky.

SKA emerged for the second stanza a completely different team, and laid siege to Avtomobilist’s net. The visitors seemed in shock by our team’s power, and they had real difficulty in exiting their own zone. Shot after shot was being smashed in on the visitors’ net, and only their goaltender Igor Ustinsky was keeping them in the game. Pavel Buchnevich launched wide on a counterattack, Nikita Gusev was shut down at the high slot, and at point blank range Joakim Lindstrom failed to hit the empty net. The pressure was overwhelming, and eventually Avtomobilist’s stubborn resistance was broken down. Pavel Buchnevich thumped a powerful shot in from the point, and it crashed high into the net. Our players smelt blood, and though that they had scored a second immediately afterwards. Vyacheslav Voynov knocked a rebound over the line, however after reviewing replays the referees concluded that it had been purposely kicked in. Nevertheless that didn’t knock SKA off their stride, and Avtomobilist were out-shot 20 – 2 in the period.

The team continued pressing in the third, and immediately it brought about a well deserved second goal. Steve Moses skated all around the opponent’s zone, set it back for Swede Joakim Lindstrom, and the latter’s wrister caught Igor Ustinsky out blocker side. Despite conceding Avtomobilist refused to open up, and further chances came for SKA. Ilya Kovalchuk slapped wide of an unguarded right corner, and Pavel Buchnevich was denied one on one. The visitors were patiently waiting for their moment, and on a powerplay they shocked everyone inside the arena. Alexei Mikhnov crusied down the left, and shot over Mikko Koskinen’s glove for his second. As time began to run down SKA still held a huge advantage, however Avtomobilist’s goaltender didn’t want to concede for a third time. Maxim Chudinov had several openings as the visitors took penalties, but try as he might the puck wasn’t getting through.

60 minutes couldn’t separate the two teams, and in overtime nothing of note was witnessed. Both teams opted to shut up shop at the back, and a predictable shootout came. There was a feeling that Avtomobilist had been waiting for this all game, and despite Steve Moses and Ilya Kovalchuk netting for SKA, the visitors scored on all three of their penalties against newly installed goalkeeper Ilya Ezhov. 2:3 today, and SKA take only one point against Avtomobilist. The next game will be on the 5^th of February at home to HC Yugra Khanty Mansiysk.

Match protocol:

SKA – Avtomobilist – 2:3 SO (0:1, 1:0, 1:1 – 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Mikhnov (Megalinsky, Golyshev), 11.42

1:1 Buchnevich (Shirokov, Gusev), 31.47

2:1 Lindstrom (Koskiranta, Moses), 41.09

2:2 Mikhnov (Timashov, Vasilevsky), 48.01

2:3 Koukal, 65.00

Goalkeepers: Koskinen – Ustinsky

Shots on target: 43 – 20

Penalty minutes: 6 – 12

Faceoffs: 40 – 31