STRONG FINAL PERIOD NOT ENOUGH

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

Goals: 1. Plotnikov (Averin), 4. Gorokhov (Plotnikov, Apalkov) – 44. Miklík (Vondrka, Mojžíš)

Lineups:
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Kolesnik – Lyubushkin, Gorokhov, Holøs, Jakovlev, Vishnevsky, Pashnin, Vasilyev, Zotov – Plotnikov, Averin, Apalkov – Chernikov, Ullström, Petrov – Kruchinin, Kapustin, Redlihs – Galimov, Khlopotov, Avtsin
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Kopřiva – Sersen, Škoula, Sigalet, Mojžíš, Kutlák, Štajnoch, T. Mikúš, R. Mráz – Bartovič, J. Mikúš, Radivojevič – Vondrka, Bližňák, Miklík – Kukumberg, Šťastný, Netík – Hudáček, Matoušek, Daňo

Once again, Slovan got off to the worst possible start. With only 19 seconds on the clock, Plotnikov struck the puck from behind the goal and the rebound off the unlucky Škoula somehow found its way past Kopřiva 1:0. Two minutes later, Gorokhov skated into space between the circles, received the puck from Plotnikov and gave Kopřiva no chance – 2:0. The first serious chance for Slovan came in the 9^th minute, but the low shot from Juraj Mikúš was off target. The home goalie then had to deal with threatening shots from Netík and Štajnoch. Kopřiva also impressed, dealing with shots from Vishnevsky and Plotnikov.

In the 22th minute, Miklík sent a weighty pass to Kutlák, who only just missed the top corner of Kolesnik’s net. At the other end, Ullström bore down on goal with time and space, but failed to find the net. Plotnikov broke away soon after, and was only denied by the left-hand post, as was Pashnin soon after. Kukumberg had a great chance in the 30^th minute, but Kolesnik’s right pad kept Lokomotiv two goals up. Kopřiva too ensured the lead didn’t increase, rushing out to stop Redlihs on the break.

Right at the start of the final period, Kukumberg was in position to fire, but the home defense managed to block his shot. The long-awaited goal came in a powerplay in the 44^th minute, Michel Miklík shooting accurately to reduce the deficit – 2:1. The goal clearly spurred Slovan into action. Sersen, Škoula and Juraj Mikúš all had chances to level the score, and Kutlák shot with venom in the 46^th minute. Slovan was by far the better team in the third period, Yaroslavl only able to defend their lead. Their luck held out right till the end, numerous major chances late on somehow not finding the target.