Victory in Cherepovets!

Severstal Cherepovets – HC SLOVAN Bratislava 1:2 (0:1, 0:1, 1:0)

Goals: 53. Shefer (Vikharev, Gimatov) - 4. Miklík (Viedenský), 35. Starosta (Nagy, Barker) 

Lineups:
Severstal: Magarilov (Štepánek) – Němec (A), Blaťák, Karlsson, Khokhlov, Kudako, Shefer, Stasenko, Dorofeyev – Kagarlitsky (C), Trubachyov (A), Buchnevich – Nikontsev, Berdnikov, Trunyov – Monakhov, Vikharev, Skorokhodov – Gimatov, Moiseyev, Kazakovtsev
HC SLOVAN: Garnett (Brust) – Starosta, Švarný, Barker, Sersen (A), Mihalik, Valach, Kozák – Jeglič, Skokan, Nagy (A) – Miklík, Viedenský, Kašpar – Bartovič, Surový (C), Paré – Skalický, Lušňák, Petráš

HC SLOVAN made an active start in Cherepovets, their second line especially causing problems for the home defence. Miklík could have opened the scoring inside two minutes, but his touch didn't get past Magarilov. But he made good with his next outing on the ice, when Viedenský put him in perfectly; Miklík's backhand put Slovan ahead - 0:1. Garnett continued the fine form he displayed in Moscow, succesfully handling an effort from Kagarlitsky and Buchnevich's shot. In the 18th minute, Kagarlicky got through, but the Canadian netminder again made the save.

In the 22nd minute, the home goalie played his part, denying Kašpar and catching Paré's shot. A minute later, Severstal outnumbered Slovan on the break, but Monachov shot into the safety netting. Slovan had to defend a home powerplay as well, but a shot from Němec was the closest the hosts came. Řiha's charges then struck in a five-on-three powerplay – Barker combined with Starosta, whose rocket sent Slovan into a two-goal lead - 0:2.

The Sky Blues eased off in the third period, which immediately offered Severstal chances. Garnett's pads kept out a bomb from Nikontsev, and the in-form goaltender caught a number of efforts from Kagarlitsky in the 43rd minute. The home team's efforts finally paid off ten minutes later, when Shefer was able to guide a rebound into the net, and bring Severstal back into the game - 1:2. Slovan had to defend tooth and nail to preserve their slender advantage, then Severstal pulled the goalie two minutes from time. The home fans thought Kagarlitsky had grabbed the equaliser in a powerplay, but Michael Garnett somehow pulled off a wonder save with his stick, ensuring Slovan took all three points! 

Miloš Říha: Our second difficult away game, and our second played well tactically and with great discipline. The whole team worked for the win, and apart from a few moments, we didn't allow them anything. I have to heap praise on the entire team for this trip!