Admirable Performance Reaps Three Points!

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Admiral Vladivostok 4:1 (3:0, 1:0, 0:1)

Goals: 9. Tičar (Sersen, Jeglič), 13. Sersen (Baranka, Netík), 20. Baranka (Netík), 28. Surový (Hudáček) - 52. Lisov (Lisin, Zubov). Officials: Bondar, Karabanov - Kuchava, Novikov. Penalties: 5:7, Powerplay goals: 2:0, Shorthanded: 0:0. Attendance: 8,902.

HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus – Foster, Sigalet, Sersen, Baranka, Štajnoch, Mihálik, Brejčák - Hudáček, Surový, Bartovič – Netík, Nedorost, Vondrka – Jeglič, Tičar, Rachůnek - Šťastný, Bližňák, Lunter
Admiral Vladivostok: Proskuryakov (21. Nalimov) - Kuzmin, Osipov, Lisov, Kolář, Zemchyonok, Volodin, Belyakov - Sigaryov, Zubov, Bergfors - Makarov, Lisin, Ugarov - Podshendyalov, Via. Ushenin, Vl. Ushenin - Sokolov, Schutz, Kuznetsov

In their third consecutive home game, Slovan once again started actively, carving out two good chances in the opening five minutes. The first fell to Nedorost, alone in front of goal afer Netík's pass, but Proskuryakov was not to be beaten. The fourth line produced some good pressure in the 3rd minute, but the Admiral goalie this time dealt with efforts from Šťastný and Lunter. The visitors threatened in the 9th, but Janus had no trouble handling Ugar's shot, and the resulting counter-attack brought Slovan's opening goal. From centre ice, Sersen sent Tičar through on the left wing, and he beat Proskuryakov - 1:0. In the 11th minute, Nedorost wended his way through three opponents and picked out Vondrka in space. He may not have scored, but Slovan won a powerplay which did bring the second goal. Baranka's shot rebounded straight to Sersen in the left circle, and he made no mistake - 2:0. Slovan dictated the tempo throughout the first period, every attack posing a danger and - moreover - the visitors' attacking hopes were entirely thwarted. They did manage to create some pressure and better chances during a 15th-minute powerplay, but Janus held the side together, stopping a number of decent shots, and keeping out Bergfors from up close. The Sky Blues crowned a successful period in a powerplay 24 seconds from the end, when Baranka's  shot found its way past Proskuryakov, leaving the hosts with a three-goal advantage going into the break.
 
The second period was a more even affair. Nalimov took over in the Admiral net, and straight away made two decisive interventions, while his teammates began to make more incisive inroads going forward. After one swift move it looked like Slovan had conceded their first of the night - the puck got away from Janus, but he managed to pounce on it on the line. Instead, the hosts added a fourth in the 28th minute - Hudáček won the puck on the boards, got away from his marker, went round the net and squeezed the puck under the prostrate Nalimov to Surový, who was on hand to knock it in - 4:0. Clearly the better side, the home team's confidence soared, as they put together fine combinations, entertaining the fans, and not afraid to attack even when shorthanded. They played safely at the back, with no unforced errors, and kept the visitors at bay the whole time. By the end of the middle period, Slovan had outshot their opponents 27:15.

Far from bringing a fifth goal, another Slovan powerplay early in the third nearly gave Admiral their first goal. A fast break served up Ugar with a chance to finish, but Janus did well to make the save. A sharp encounter in front of the Admiral goal then left Belyakov lying on the ice, and he had to be helped back to the bench. Slovan played a another powerplay soon after, but once again it was Janus who had to make a save, cutting out the approaching Bergfors. In the 52nd minute Janus finally surrendered his clean sheet, allowing Admiral a consolation goal off the stick of Lisov - 4:1. The goal did serve to bring some spice back into the game, as the visitors attempted to claw their way back, but this also offered Slovan space, resulting in some entertaining play at both ends. Nevertheless, no further goals were forthcoming, and Slovan ends a three-game home stint with a much-needed victory.