Zagreb beats Slovan in return fixture

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Medveščak Zagreb 1:4 (0:0, 1:2, 0:2)

Goals: 21. Nagy (Vondrka, Nedorost) - 27. Pelletier (Segal), 33. Segal (Pelletier, St. Pierre), 55. Segal (Pelletier, St.Pierre), 56. Bjorkstrand (Murray). Officials: Vasilyev, Tsyplakov - Ivanov, Nesterov.

Penalties: 4:7 (2 min.), plus Katic 5 min. + game misconduct (checking to head and neck), Polushaj 10 min. (unsportsmanlike conduct) - (both Zagreb), Powerplay Goals: 1:1, Shorthanded: 0:1. Attendance: 7,985.

Slovan was the more active team from the outset, pressing on Brust's net; Šťastný tested the visitors' goalie in the 4th minute. Netík then had a better chance when he picked up the puck on the blue line, but Brust dealt with his backhand effort. In the 7th, the fourth line combined well to allow Šťastný another shot on goal, but the game remained goalless. When Katic slammed into Štajnoch's head soon after, he was handed a 5 minute game misconduct, so Zagreb had to play with only five defensemen. Štajnoch shook off the knock and was able to continue. The home team carved out a great chance early in the long powerplay, Sersen's long shot fell to Vondrka, but Brust pulled off an exceptional save. Slovan continued to pepper Brust's net with shots, but failed to make their advantage count. There followed a quieter phase, where the hosts continued to press but without creating real chances. Slovan outshot Medvescak 16:3, but that counted for nothing in a scoreless first period.

But relief came to Slovan in a powerplay inside the first minute of the middle period - Nedorost and Vondrak combined to pick out Nagy in the right circle, and he slotted high into the corner for his seventh goal of the season - 1:0. The "Sky Blues" continued to dominate, but made nothing from another powerplay, and then paid the price soon after. A rare attack for the visitors turned into an equaliser for Pelletier - 1:1. The hosts soon had yet another powerplay, once again applying pressure on the Zagreb net, but once again in vain. Brust repelled good chances from Jeglič, Nedorost, Foster and Netík. In the 33rd minute, the Croatian team played their first powerplay, and duly converted it into a lead. After a defensive error, Backlund could only bat Pelletier's shot in front of him, and Segal followed up to score - 1:2. Some careless play began to creep into the Slovan ranks, inaccurate passes allowing the opposition to stay ahead. Vondrka produced a chance late in the period, but could only find Brust.

The hosts' finishing woes continued in the final period, although a minute of five-on-three advantage served up a great opportunity, but all to no avail. Instead, with six minutes to play, and Slovan increasing the pressure, Foster blundered to allow Segal a first time shot, which he buried in the top corner - 1:3. While shorthanded a minute later, Bjorkstrand hammered the final nail in the coffin - 1:4, at which point the home fans whistled their derision and began to leave.