Game four. CSKA - SKA - 2:1

In Moscow, game four took place between SKA and HC CSKA Moscow in the 2017/2018 KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs third round. Following Monday's 5:2 victory, head coach Oleg Znarok didn't make any changes to the line-up. Mikko Koskinen and Ilya Sorokin were the starting goaltenders.

With the series moving into its decisive phase, both teams played with an emphasis on defence in the first period. CSKA outshot SKA 7-5, but none of the hosts' attempts caused Mikko Koskinen any serious trouble. Our players were made to work hard on the penalty kill after committing two consecutive fouls, expertly keeping the Moscow outfit at bay.

SKA struggled in the second period, allowing CSKA to create shooting lanes in the attacking zone. Finnish goalkeeper Mikko Koskinen was on his game though, pulling off two fantastic saves at point blank range to deny Valery Nichushkin and Mikhail Grigorenko.

On the powerplay, SKA finally broke the deadlock. Vyacheslav Voynov wound up for a huge one timer on the right faceoff circle, launching the puck beyond the beaten Ilya Sorokin. 1:0 in SKA's favour after 40 minutes.

However, the game turned on its head in the third period. Mat Robinson equalised with a powerful wrister from the blue line, before Valery Nichushkin took advantage of a loose puck on the slot to give CSKA their first lead. Vadim Shipachyov and Ilya Kovalchuk almost got SKA back on terms shortly afterwards, both stopped by the home goalkeeper. Mikko Koskinen was pulled for the extra skater in the final minute, but CSKA Moscow held on. The series now moves to Saint Petersburg level at 2:2.

Match protocol:

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

Goals:

0:1 Voynov (Hersley, Shipachyov), 33.30

1:1 Robinson (Grigorenko, Popov), 40.37

2:1 Nichushkin (Andronov), 42.54

Goalkeepers: Sorokin - Koskinen

Shots on target: 27 - 20

Faceoffs: 27 - 39

Hits: 7 - 9

Penalty minutes: 12 - 14

Referees: Gofman, Olenin

04.04.2018. Moscow.