VICTORY FOLLOWS THRILLING MIDDLE PERIOD!

CSKA Moscow – HC SLOVAN Bratislava 4:5  (1:0, 1:5, 2:0)

Goals: 1. Saprykin (Morozov), 38. Zaitsev (Rylov), 44. Zaitsev (A. Radulov) – 27. Sersen (Škoula), 27. Vondrka, 28. Hudáček, 32. Radivojevič, 40. Mihálik

Lineups:
CSKA Moscow: Proskuriakov (Filonenko) – Denisov, Rylov, Misharin, Zaitsev, Pervyshin, Eminger, Yegorshev, L – Saprykin, Filppula, Morozov – Grigorenko, Prokhorkin, A. Radulov – Frolov, Fefiolov, Zharkov – Zubov, Nepryayev, Fiodorov
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Janus (Kopřiva) – Sersen (A), Škoula, Mojžíš, Mihálik, Brejčák, Štajnoch, T. Mikúš, Mráz – Vondrka, Bližňák (A), Miklík – Bartovič (C), Ölvecký, Radivojevič – Hudáček, Šťastný, Šatan – Bakoš, Matoušek, Daňo

Friday’s game away to CSKA Moscow did not start at all well for our team. Inside the first minute, Sersen’s shot from the blue line missed the target, and the resulting counter attack saw Morozov set up Saprykin to score – 1:0. Slovan could have equalized immediately, but Radivojevič shot just wide. The half-empty stadium witnessed further shots from Bartovič, Bližňák and Hudáček, as well as fine saves from Jaroslav Janus off Radulov and Morozov.

In the 23^rd minute, Radulov surged through a hole between Štajnoch and Brejčák, but Janus read the feint perfectly. Saprykin shot for the second time two minutes later, but Janus moved well to make the save at the right post. In the minutes that followed, the hosts were left in wonder. First up came Sersen in a powerplay, taking the pass from Škoula and beating all in his path – 1:1. Seconds later, Vondrka got the puck in front of goal and gave Slovan the lead – 1:2. And that wasn’t all – in the 28^th, Hudáček nicked the puck from a defender and his perfect finish beat Proskuriakov 1:3. Filppula could have pulled one back for CSKA, but Janus saved once again. In the 32^nd it was Slovan who again rejoiced – Branko Radivojevič punishing a major error by the home goalie – 1:4. With five on three in the 38th, the home failed to score, but Zaitsev succeeded when five on four – 2:4. Eleven seconds from the siren, Mihálik restored the three goal lead – 2:5.

Less than four minutes into the final period, the home side scored their third – Zaitsev beat the defense and shot past Janus – 3:5. CSKA applied the pressure, creating a number of chances, Slovan keeping them out with immense effort. The Sky Blues gradually got back into it, and Matoušek nearly made it six from the right circle. The third-line attack also created openings, Šatan especially looking like scoring. But a powerplay in the 55th let CSKA draw back to within one, Frolov knocking home after several rebounds – 4:5. In the closing moments Slovan repelled tremendous pressure from the hosts, but held on to secure an important three points.

Rostislav Čada: Despite giving away a goal in the first attack of the game, we got through the first period without conceding again. In the second period we made all our opportunities count. It was important we got the fifth goal eleven seconds from the end, in our powerplay, to make it 5:2. In the third period we let them back into the game through regular penalties, but great determination and enthusiasm – as well a superb performance from Janus – enabled us to hang for a victory we really wanted so much.