SKA - Slovan

SKA - Slovan - 3:2

13 January 2016

SKA’s second match of this home series took place today against HC Slovan Bratislava. Head coach Sergei Zubov made few changes to the line-up, as Vadim Shipachyov, Evgeny Dadonov and Nikita Gusev all returned to the line-up. Mikko Koskinen was our starting netminder, while Michael Garnett began the game for Slovan.

Going for a third win out of four our players came flying out of the blocks, and had plenty of time inside Slovan’s zone. The visitors struggled to cope with the heat, and ended up taking a number of penalties. That allowed SKA to control the tempo, and Andrei Kuteikin made their goaltender work with a heavy slapper. It seemed only a matter of time before the first goal arrived, and eight minutes in it came. Evgeny Dadonov speeded away down the right flank, faked a pass, and wristed cunningly into the far corner. Evgeny had two great chances for his second too, but at point blank range he failed to get the better of Michael Garnett.

The Slovakian visitors began the second period better, but after missing a big backhand opportunity on our crease normal service was resumed. SKA continued bombarding Slovan’s net with efforts from all angles, and one on one Anton Belov should really have made it two. Cutting Slovan’s defence open like a knife through butter Anton had a fantastic chance clean through, but Michael Garnett flashed leather to shut him down. Nevertheless he couldn’t do it by himself, and not long later he was beaten for a second time. Vadim Shipachyov was teed up between the circles, and he slapped powerfully into the roof of the net. Chances kept on coming for our team as we had all the momentum, and after Pavel Buchnevich’s wraparound attempt was stopped by the blocker Roman Rukavishnikov thumped over when in a fantastic position.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but just like on Monday the opponents gave us a nasty shock. Tomas Kundratek made it a one goal game alone on the right faceoff circle, and moments later Michal Sersen netted over the glove on a two on one. The Ice Palace dropped silent, and as time rolled on the tension rose. Chances were few and far between as both teams noticeably tightened up, but with overtime approaching SKA got it together again. After Sergei Shirokov had a goal ruled out for kicking the puck Anton Belov sneaked clean through, pulled to the backhand, and at the second attempt sent it home. That marker came with twenty seconds to go, and Slovan had no time in which to reply. 3:2 today, and SKA take their second win in a row!

Match protocol:

SKA – Slovan – 3:2 (1:0, 1:0, 1:2)

Goals:

1:0 Dadonov (Shipachyov, Yudin), 07.24

2:0 Shipachyov (Gusev, Dadonov), 33.48

2:1 Kundratek (Barker, Kaspar), 40.28

2:2 Sersen (Viedensky, Bartovic), 42.48

3:2 Belov (Kadeikin), 59.40

Goalkeepers: Koskinen – Garnett

Shots on target: 41 – 32

Faceoffs: 38 – 35

Hits: 7 – 9