Three important points for Slovan

HC Slovan Bratislava - Atlant Mytišči 3:2 (1:1, 1:1, 1:0)

Goals: 13. Ölvecký (T. Mikúš), 33. M. Daňo (Švarný, Ölvecký), 55. Kukumberg (Kytnár, Dravecký) - 19. Michnov (Ozolinš), 31. Bobrov (Dorofejev, Rybakov)

Penalties: 4:4 (2 min), additional: Štajnoch (Slovan) 10 min for checking to the head, powerplay goals: 0:1, shorthanded goals: 0:0, officials: Odinš, Sojin - Sadovnikov, Sazonov, attendance: 10 055 (sell out)

Rosters:
HC SLOVAN: Janus - Ľ. Višňovský, Sigalet, Štajnoch, Švarný, Sersen, J. Tabaček - Bartovič, Bližňák, L. Hudáček - Michel Miklík, Lipiansky, Vondrka - Kukumberg, Kytnár, Dravecký - T. Mikúš, A. Šťastný, Ölvecký – from 30. min M. Daňo
Atlant Mytišči: Chudobin - I. Višnevskij, Ťutin, Semionov, Ozolinš, Rukavišnikov, Frögren, Batyršin, Kosmačiov - Žerdev, Rybakov, Gluchov - Michnov, Engqvist, Staalberg - Ševčenko, Točinskij, Konstantin Koľcov - Lemťugov, Bobrov, Dorofejev

The game begun with two chances for HC SLOVAN Bratislava captain Jan Lipiansky, but Chudobin was equal to both chances. HC SLOVAN failed to convert on the powerplay despite some good opportunities, with Miklik and Vondrka both going close. In the 10^th minute, Dravecky forced a good save from Chudobin, and Janus showed that he was also up to the task in the opposing goal, denying NHL forward Viktor Stalberg. In the 13^th minute, Tomáš Mikúš worked the puck well, and his shot rebounded onto the stick of Peter Ölvecký, who scored at the second time of asking. Thereafter, Janus made two great saves on Dorofejev and Bobrov. Towards the end of the first period, Atlant made the man advantage count, as good play by the Russian team’s forwards opened up the zone for Michnov to score.

Right at the beginning of the second period, Stalberg went close once more, but Janus denied him. In the 27^th minute, Chudobin once again made a great save to frustrate the HC SLOVAN players, as he flashed a glove to stop Višňovský’s shot. In the 31^st minute, Atlant brought the fans to despair as they took the lead. Some very good play by the Rybakov, Dorofejev and Bobrov line resulted in the latter sliding the puck past Janus. However, HC SLOVAN were only behind for 91 seconds, as young Marko Daňo made his mark on the game, finding himself in front of Chudobin and lighting the lamp.

The game was finely balanced going into the third period, and Dravecky and Višňovský created the one of the best chances of the period, but once again Chudobin was equal to the task. Libor Hudaček also went close to getting HC SLOVAN’s third goal. However, two minutes after Hudaček’s chance, the sell out crowd was brought to their feet as from the right circle, Roman Kukumberg fired past Chudobin to give HC SLOVAN a 3:2 lead. Despite this, Atlant rallied back, and it took a fantastic save by Janus to deny Zherdev from equalising. Atlant threw everything they had at the HC SLOVAN Bratislava net, but time and time again they were denied, meaning that the home side picked up a vital three points towards the playoff race, and showed that this team contains the mental fortitude to bounce back from disappointing results.

The next game for HC SLOVAN Bratislava is on Sunday at 17:00, where they welcome Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

by Jon Rowson, http://velvethockey.blogspot.sk