Three goal third period enough for Slovan

HC SLOVAN Bratislava - Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 3:1 (0:0, 0:0, 3:1) 

Goals: 42. V. Mihálik (Kukumberg), 48. Lipiansky (L. Hudáček, Bartovič), 60. Bartovič (L. Hudáček) - 60. Špirko (Malychin, Simakov)

Penalties: 3:2 (2 min), powerplay and shorthanded goals: 0:0, officials: Buturlin, Komarov - Meňšich, Nazarov (all Rus.), attendance: 10 055.

Rosters:
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus - Ľ. Višňovský, Sigalet, Sersen, Sekera, V. Mihálik, Švarný - Miklík, Bližňák, Vondrka - Bartovič, Lipiansky, L. Hudáček - Kukumberg, Kytnár, Bakoš - Kudrna, Preisinger, Ölvecký

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg: Lobanov - Juksejev, Mezei, D. Sokolov, Rybnickij, Kurbatov, Sazonov, Stupin, Triamkin - Lapenkov, Kriukov, Malychin - Simakov, Špirko, Makejev - Gimatov, Jemelejev, Čisťakov - A. Streľcov, V. Streľcov, Pronin

The away side from Yekaterinburg started off Friday’s game in the ascendancy and their forwards were posing a threat. HC SLOVAN’s defence was wise to the task, although a mix-up in the 10^th minute provided the first major chance of the game as Špirko and Simakov went close to breaking the deadlock. Lobanov in the Avtomobilist net was forced into action later in the period, making a pair of saves to deny Miklik and Višňovský. Defence was ruling attack the first period of the game, as chances were at a premium.

HC SLOVAN began taking the initiative in the second period, getting more puck possession and more shots on goal. The defensive battle between two well-organised sides did not provide the most exciting of games, as both sides attempted to fire shots from long range, resulting in many chances being blocked and the netminders not having to make a large number of saves.

After being held off the scoresheet for seven periods since the team’s last goal against Dinamo Moscow, finally HC SLOVAN broke the deadlock in the 42^nd minute, as Vladimir Mihálik skated from the left half-boards and fired a low hard wrist shot which eluded the traffic in front of Lobanov and found the back of the net. Five minutes later and HC SLOVAN had doubled their lead, thanks to a marvellous piece of solo play by Ján Lipiansky, who broke on Lobanov alone. The Russian netminder was able to make the first save as the HC SLOVAN captain attempted to jam the puck through the five hole, but Lipiansky got his own rebound and put the puck into the empty net to the delight of the sold-out crowd. Jaroslav Janus was only thirty three seconds away from getting another KHL shutout but his hopes were dashed after Avtomobilist pulled the netminder, and Slovak forward Rastislav Špirko fired an accurate shot from the point which eluded Janus. However, any worries of overtime were dashed four seconds from the end, as Milan Bartovič used his speed and strength to beat the defenceman and slide the puck into the empty net to make the score 3:1, and secure a vital three points for the home side.