NO POINTS IN CHELYABINSK

Traktor Chelyabinsk – HC SLOVAN Bratislava 2:1 (0:0, 2:0, 0:1)

Goals: 24. Valeyev (Klimontov, Abdullin), 39. Zavarukhin (Panov) – 58. Radivojevič (Škoula)

Lineups:
Traktor: Garnett  – Kondratiev, Vasilchenko, Riabykin, Bondarev, Borodkin, Katichev, Klimontov, Khlystov – Popov, Glinkin, Kokuyov – Kontiola, A. Kostitsyn, Bulis – Panov, Chistov, Zavarukhin – Abdullin, Mokin, Valeyev
HC SLOVAN Bratislava: Kopřiva  – Sigalet, Škoula, Trončinský, Mihálik, Mojžíš, Štajnoch, Brejčák, Matoušek – Vondrka, Bližňák, Miklík – Ölvecký, J. Mikúš, Bartovič – Hudáček, Radivojevič, Šatan – T. Mikúš, Šťastný, B. Mráz

The first threat came from a Slovan stick – goaltender Garnett twice had to deal with strong shots from Tomáš Mojžíš. But from the 4th minute, the home side had over 100 seconds of five-on-three, after Mojžíš fouled and Sigalet threw the puck. But fine defensive work and a solid Kopřiva kept the game scoreless. Just after the powerplay, Bartovič found space on the left, but his shot missed the target. Seconds later, defenseman Sigalet was more accurate, but Garnett saved with the blocker. Slovan continued in active mode, Hudáček’s shot deflecting just wide, and a low shot from Bartovič again blocked by Garnett. At the end of the period, Vondrka stopped Kontiola from shooting, and Kopřiva saved superbly from Popov soon after.

The second period started well for the hosts – their fourth-line attacked three-on-two and Valeyev succeeded in shooting past Kopřiva – 1:0. Meanwhile, Slovan were unable to score even in a powerplay, though nor could the home team after Miklík’s foul. Bulis let fly a dangerous shot from between the circles in the 28^th, but Kopřiva was able to parry. His counterpart, Garnett, read the intent well to make a save as Mojžíš aimed between his pads. Slovan received a piece of luck in the 36^th as Bulis broke away but couldn’t find the net. A minute later and Slovan’s third-line attack made inroads, but Hudáček couldn’t quite hit the untended net. Zavarukhin delighted the packed out Traktor Arena a minute from the end, making a telling touch on Panov’s shot – 2:0.

Slovan struggled to get up to speed, even with a powerplay early in the third period, barely threatening Garnett in the home net. The hosts were in no hurry, and despite being in the lead, the home fans rewarded their passivity with cat whistles. Šatan twice tried his hand from distance, but couldn’t change the score. At the other end, a defensive error from Trončinský in the 49^th was nearly punished by Panov, but Kopřiva was in the way. The last ten minutes saw Slovan up their efforts to score, but the home side also threatened on the break – Popov missing by inches in the 53^rd. Ölvecký also could have scored, but his effort up close only found Garnett. Shorthanded with three minutes left, Slovan managed to create late drama – Škoula crossed to Radivojevič, and his accurate shot gave Garnett no chance – 2:1. Alas, despite sustained effort, Slovan was unable to find the equalizer.

Rostislav Čada: This evening we’ve seen a very even contest. In the first period, it was important for us to make it through nearly two minutes shorthanded five-on-three. We were more active than the opposition in that first period. But the second period decided it – our opponents scored twice, which proved decisive for the outcome. In the final period we were just lacking in a bit of luck - and time.