Slovan Ends Lokomotiv's Winning Run!

Lokomotiv Yaroslav – HC SLOVAN Bratislava 0:2 (0:0, 0:1, 0:1)

Goals:40. Netík (Štajnoch), 45. Hudáček (Starosta, Vondrka)

Lineups:
Lokomotiv: Kolesnik (Sanford) – Holos, Vasilyev, Kronwall, Pashnin, Vishnevsky, Yakovlev, Gorokhov (C), Lyubushkin, – Plotnikov (A), Apalkov, Averin – Kontiola , Thörnberg, Loktionov – Konkov, Novotný, Platt – Kartayev, Galimov, Grachyov, – Kraskovsky
HC SLOVAN: Backlund (Baroš) – Luža, Sersen (A), Štajnoch, Kozák, Starosta, Surový – Nagy (A), Murley, Bartovič (C) – Jeglič, Tičar, Netík – White, Vondrka, Hudáček –Kudrna, Ölvecký, Šťastný – Lunter

The first period was played in a largely calm manner, with both teams making few attacking inroads, instead waiting for the other to make an error. The Slovan defence helped Backlund, who replaced Janus in goal, blocking a number of Lokomotiv shots. Slovan found their feet in the 11th minute, when Nagy burst into the attacking zone, and Kolesnikov was only saved by his left post. Seven minutes later, Štajnoch seized on an error by the Lokomotiv backs, but shot just wide. At the other end, Backlund pulled off his first save of note, using his pad to keep out the hosts on the break. Seconds from the siren, the Swede again intervened, this time sending the puck into the netting.

Slovan looked good at the start of the second period, the second and third lines camping out in the Lokomotiv zone. The third line created good opportunities, shaking up Kolesnik with a number of shots, but alas no goal. The pressure also brought about Slovan's first powerplay, one which came to nothing for Matikainen's forces. When the hosts played a powerplay, however, Backlund found himself busy. In the 32nd minute, Nagy passed up another chance to shoot on goal, then late in the period, Slovan had to defend another powerplay. But seconds from the siren, it was Slovan who struck. Štajnoch shot and Netík diverted the puck past Kolesnik - 0:1. 

In the 46th minute, Slovan got into the attacking zone, Starosta shot, and Hudáček got the perfect touch to beat Kolesnik - 0:2. After eight wins on the trot, Lokomotiv suddenly found themselves 14 minutes from a home defeat. The hosts of course tried hard to turn it around, and threw everything into attack. But there they came up against a Slovan team defending in numbers, supported by the safe hands of Johan Backlund in goal. Nagy broke away eight minutes from time, and could have sealed the deal, but Kolesnik read his forehand dummy. In the 54th, Slovan defended a crucial powerplay for the home team, followed by a nerve-soothing powerplay of their own thanks to a foul on Nagy. In the closing stages, the Sky Blues guarded their two-goal advantage; thanks to a fine collective performance, and numerous telling interventions from Backlund, Slovan put an end to Lokomotiv's eight-game winning streak!

Petri Matikainen: We knew Lokomotiv had a really strong lineup, which showed in their long run without a defeat.We had beaten them at home, and we wanted to prepare ourselves thoroughly for this game, and we managed to do that. We put in an excellent performance, and I'm proud of the guys! We player well right from the start, and I think were the better team. We didn't panic at the end, we played sensibly in defence and saw it through to an important victory. Backlund was outstanding; he was a big support at the back. A big thank you to the whole team!