Hudáček scores twice as Slovan beat Magnitogorsk

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Metallurg Magnitogorsk 4:3 after shootout (2:0, 0:2, 1:1 - 0:0, 1:0) 

Goals: 10. Bartovič (L. Hudáček, Lipiansky), 16. L. Hudáček (Bartovič, Lipiansky), 45. L. Hudáček (Lipiansky, Sersen), winning penalty shot: Bližňák - 40. Malkin (Kuľomin, Mozyakin), 40. Mozyakin (Kuľomin, Malkin), 49. Mozyakin (Malkin, Kuľomin)

Penalties: 5:5 (2 min), powerplay goals: 3:1, shorthanded goals: 0:0, officials: Buturlin, Nalivajko - Meňšich, I. Nazarov (all Rus.), attendance: 10 055

Penalty shootout: R. O´Reilly wide - 0:0, Bližňák scored - 1:0, Malkin saved - 1:0, Lipiansky saved - 1:0, Mozyakin scored - 1:1, Vondrka saved - 1:1 - Bližňák scored 2:1, Mozyakin saved - 2:1

Rosters:
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus - Ľ. Višňovský, Sigalet, Sersen, Sekera, V. Mihálik, Švarný, Trška - Miklík, Bližňák, Vondrka - Bartovič, Lipiansky, L. Hudáček - Kukumberg, Kytnár, Bakoš - Kudrna, Preisinger, Ölvecký

Metallurg Magnitogorsk: Ahonen - Antipin, Mišarin, Chabarov, Gončar, Bernackij, Bondarev, Antonovskij - Kuľomin, Malkin, Moziakin - Kazionov, R. O´Reilly, Platonov - Zuccarello Aasen, Hodgman, Lisin - Potechin, Jakubov, Edunov

The opening minutes of another sold-out game at the Slovnaft Arena were tense, with both sides looking to get the early advantage. HC SLOVAN Bratislava, who have often been reliant on Jaroslav Janus throughout the season were once again treated to a highlight reel of spectacular saves by the young Slovak netminder. In the 7^th minute Andrej Sekera went to the penalty box, but the home penalty kill was able to kill off the man advantage without too much trouble. Almost immediately after, HC SLOVAN went to the powerplay, and were able to make good with the extra man. Libor Hudáček fired a teasing cross crease pass from the right circle which went directly onto the tape of Milan Bartovič who beat his man to the back post and tapped the puck in for his second goal in as many games. In the 16^th minute, with HC SLOVAN back on the powerplay, Libor Hudáček turned from provider to scorer, getting the puck at the hashmarks and firing a hard wrist shot which beat Ahonen on the blocker side and nestled in the back of the net. HC SLOVAN had to be aware towards the end of the period though, as Malkin gave O’Reilly a good opportunity to score, but Janus made the save.

Both netminders started off the second period by making big saves, Janus stopping Bondarev and O’Reilly, and Ahonen making the save on Sersen. Metallurg were upping the tempo as the period went on, and Gonchar and Mozyakin went close to getting the guests back into the game. Metallurg threatened and Janus had his hands full. In the final minute of the period, HC SLOVAN’s defence finally succumbed. First, Evgeni Malkin scored a powerplay goal, and 14 seconds later, Mozyakin fired a one timer from a tight angle after a pin point pass from Kulyomin which eluded Janus, to send the teams in level at 2:2.

At the beginning of the third period, Sersen once again went close, forcing Ahonen to make a great glove save. HC SLOVAN were enjoying a good spell of play, which led to Metallurg taking a penalty. The home side were able to convert for the third time in the 45^th minute as Libor Hudáček scored on the rebound after great play by captain Jan Lipiansky. However, it only took four minutes for Metallurg to draw level, as a defensive mix-up gave Mozyakin space to fire a quick shot which beat Janus. Both teams created chances, but as the game neared the end of regulation, it was Janus who was forced into action, making two brilliant stops on Malkin. In overtime both teams played cautiously resulting in a lack of real chances, which meant the game would once again go to a shootout. Mario Bližňák scored in the first round to give HC SLOVAN a great chance to win the game, but Mozyakin scored in the third round and Vondrka missed to send the game to sudden death. Head coach Čada sent out Bližňák for the first round of sudden death, and the centreman burst into the zone with speed and fired a lethal wristshot that beat Ahonen all ends up. Despite scoring two goals in the game, Mozyakin failed to beat Janus with his second attempt, which meant that HC SLOVAN Bratislava took the two points, and continued their quest for a playoff spot.