PERFECT! SLOVAN BEATS KAZAN!

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Ak Bars Kazan 2:1 (OT) - (0:0, 1:0, 0:1 - 1:0)

Goals: 27. Bartovič (Škoula, J. Mikúš), 63. Bartovič - 51. Svitov (Obuchov)

Penalties: 5:7 (2 min.). Powerplays: 1:0; Shorthanded: 0:0. Officials: Bulanov (RUS), Rönn (FIN) - Metalnikov, Sirotkin (RUS). Attendance: 9,702.

Lineups:

HC SLOVAN: Janus - Škoula, Kutlák, V. Mihálik, Sigalet, Štajnoch, Mojžíš - Miklík, Ölvecký, Vondrka - Netík, J. Mikúš, Bartovič - M. Daňo, Kukumberg, L. Hudáček - Bakoš, Kolena, T. Mikúš
AK Bars Kazan: Garipov - I. Nikulin, Kornejev, Heshka, J. Medvedev, Osipov, Panin, Jarullin - K. Petrov, Tereshchenko, Pesonen - Varnakov, Burmistrov, Stapleton - Obuchov, A. Svitov, Lukojanov - Golubev, Tkachov, Vincour

Saturday’s game was also confirmation that the Bratislava team’s struggles are leading them in the right direction. Kazan started more positively, and the puck flew about dangerously in front of Janus early on. But play gradually headed towards the visitor’s goalmouth, helped by three Slovan powerplays in which the hosts kept possession but didn’t carve out any major chances.

Slovan finally took advantage in their fifth powerplay when Bartovič got a touch on Škoula’s shot in front of goal. For the first time in the 2013/2014 KHL season, HC Slovan was in the lead – in the victory over Zagreb they had trailed 0:1 and 1:3 before winning in overtime. Kazan then added impetus, but goaltender Janus kept out good chances from Ak Bars to keep Slovan in the lead.

The Bratislava goalie helped his team with several telling saves in the third period as well. Slovan relied on watchful defense, from which they were able to make forward forays. But in the 51^st minute, Obuchov picked out Svitov between the circles, and his first time shot found the roof of the net – 1:1. In the 55^th minute, Bartovič had a good opportunity, but could only shoot at Garipov. Then when Miklík approached, the defense was able to apply just enough pressure to keep him from scoring.

In overtime, Tereščenko was sent to the sin bin, but Vondrka followed soon after. The match was decided in Slovan’s favor in the 63^rd minute - Bartovič broke away on the right wing and buried the puck.