Great Performance Nets Three Points!

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Barys Astana 3:2 (2:1, 1:1, 0:0)

Goals: 6. Murley (Ölvecký), 11. Surový (Šťastný, Kudrna), 35. Bartovič - 14. Rudenko (Lundin), 23. Bochenski (Dawes, Boyd). Officials: Anisimov, Odins - Kuchava, Novikov.

Penalties: 4:3, Powerplay goals: 0:0, Shorthanded: 0:0. Attendance: 7,240.
      
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus - Starosta, Sersen, Baranka, Štajnoch, Sigalet, Brejčák, Luža - Jeglič, Tičar, Netík - Ružička, Nedorost, Bartovič -  Hudáček, Murley, Ölvecký - Šťastný, Surový, Kudrna
Barys Astana: Ivanov - Lundin, Dallman, Semyonov, Savchenko, Bartulis, Tserenok, Kairov - Dawes, Boyd, Bochenski - Rudenko, Antropov, Starchenko - Zhailauov, Gavrilin, Pushkaryov - Kvasha, Upper, Polishchuk

Following a cautious start, the game really got underway after Tičar's foul in the 4th minute. Janus withstood the opponents' powerplay onslaught, including a number of shots, above all Dallman's dangerous finish. With five back on the ice, Slovan hit back - Murley fed Ölvecký, whose first time shot rebounded back to Murley, and he slotted home - 1:0. Starchenko could have restored parity in the 9th minute, but failed to beat Janus from the right circle. At the other end, Ölvecký picked out Hudáček in front of the empty net, and he sent the puck in with his skate. After consultation, the video referee ruled it was deliberate, and the goal was disallowed. Two minutes later, the Sky Blues could celebrate unreservedly - Šťastný shot from the corner, and the unmarked Surový directed it into the top corner - 2:0. Slovan kept up their responsible play until the 14th minute when the defence failed to contain Rudenko. He flicked the puck towards Janus, got through the defenders all too easily, and finished with a bluff to the forehand - 2:1. Both goalies had to stay on their toes through to the end of the period, and Dawes came mighty close near the end, but his shot hit the post.

In the 23rd minute, the Canadian created the equaliser. After Boyd won the face-off, Dawes touched the puck to Bochensky, who beat Janus - 2:2. This woke Slovan up, and they began to force the visitors back into their zone, but their combinations failed to bring about the desired effect. In the 29th, Jeglič took responsibility himself, but his attempt to outwit Ivanov did not come off. The home team's onslaught intensified, but even Šťastný's first time effort from Kudrna's perfect setup could not provide the go-ahead goal. Just five minutes from the second siren, Bartovič broke down the left wing, placed the puck over the goalie's mitt, and sent the crowd into raptures - 3:2. Slovan then proceeded to close down their opponents even more, one attack after another coming at Ivanov, but none ending up in the net. In the closing stages, shorthanded five-on-three, they once again relied on Janus, who pulled off a wonder save to deny Boyd.

Early in the third, the home goaltender remained the Sky Blues' pillar of strength, keeping everything out as the powerplay played itself out. He also had a little luck in the 47th minute, as Dallman's swipe hit the bar. Barys threatened mainly from the wing positions, where they attempted to cross the puck looking for touches in front of goal. The home team didn't let up either, but Ivanov saved from Sersen and Starosta, to keep his team in the hunt. A late defensive error from Starosta nearly upset things, but Janus made sure no further goals were conceded. Bartovič had a chance put the cherry on top at the end, but his shot at the empty net met with the post.

Petri Matikainen, Slovan head coach: "From our side it was a great team performance. From beginning to end we played as a collective, and I'm really pleased about that. The boys all fought hard for each other, and I'm grateful to them today."
Andrei Nazarov, Astana head coach: "I congratulate our opponents on their victory. Our players were asleep the opening five to seven minutes in the first period, and the opposition opened up a lead. We did overcome that early hesitancy, but we didn't have much luck in the game."