DON 4:2 SBA | HC Donbass Donetsk - HC Slovan Bratislava (KHL)

KHL

Khabarovsk – Admiral	3:4 (0:1 after SO)	\|	Avangard – SKA St. Petersburg	1:5 (end)	\|	Avtomobilist – Cherepovets	1:2 (1:3 after SO)
Torpedo – Salavat Yulaev	2:3 (after SO)	\|	Medvescak – CSKA	7:1 (end)	\|	Dynamo – Metallurg M	3:1 (end)
Donbass – HC Slovan	4:2 (end)

final

HC Donbass Donetsk

4:2 (1:0, 1:1, 2:1)

HC Slovan Bratislava

Friday 06.09.2013, 18:00 • Druzhba Palace of Sports, Donetsk • KHL

		This was the first game for both of these teams this season, but we'll have a whole lot more of both of them. Check back with Eurolivescores on Sunday for another full slate of KHL games. (20:23:30)
		Considering how badly they had been outplayed for much of this game, it's amazing Slovan was able to overcome a 2-goal deficit and tie this game in the third period. Jaroslav Janus was fantastic in the Slovan goal but he could only hold the floodgates for so long, and Maxim Yakutsenya scored the winning goal with 8:54 to play. Shots on goal in the 3rd period (and game): 11 (35), Slovan 8 (15). Faceoff leaders: Donbass – Wirtanen 15/23, Slovan – Ovecky 9/16. Icetime leaders: Donbass – Bartulis 22:07, Slovan – 26:40.
	60:00	Game over.
	59:36	Donbass back at full strength, the puck deflects out of play in the Donbass zone, faceoff outside.
	59:10	Shot from the point by Kutlak, save Laco.
	58:34	Vondrka attempts a wraparound and Laco covers. Slovan still on the power play but they're down by 2 now.
	58:01	Goal for Donbass! I hate to second-guess a coaching decision, but pulling Janus at that point was questionable for just that reason. With no fear fo being called for icing, JAN KOLAR fired the puck from deep in his own zone all the way down into the empty net.
	57:36	Slovan calls a timeout and it appears Jaroslav Janus is coming out for a 6th attacker, which is a bit of a surprise with so much time left.
	57:36	Slovan is going to the power play as Yevgeni Dadonov sends defenceman Martin Stajnovich into the boards head first, and he's shaken up. Danonov is called for boarding.
	57:00	Slovan not able to get any offence going.
	55:57	Play is stopped in the neutral zone as the puck was played with a high stick. Faceoff will be just outside the Slovan line.
	55:15	Donbass trying to play dump-and-chase now.
	53:14	Offside Slovan as the puck came outside the zone and back in. They'll have to turn up the heat now if they want to tie this game up again.
	52:27	Donbass pressure continues--a big slapper from Wilson and Janus with the glove save.
	51:06	Goal for Donbass! They were all over them and finally put it in. The puck came to MAXIM YAKUTSENYA in the slot, and he went upstairs with it as Janus went down. Assist: Oleg Piganovich.
	50:02	Donbass passing the puck around, then tee up a one-timer from Peter Podhradsky, whose shot hits Janus right in the pads. One penalty is over, :48 left in the second.
	48:50	Peter Olivecky is called for high-sticking, and Donbass will have a 2-man advantage for the next :40.
	47:50	Brilliant chance in front for Kagarlitsky at point-blank range, again Janus stands tall.
	47:41	The puck hits the netting above the glass in the Slovan zone and the faceoff is going outside.
	47:30	Donbass going to the power play now as Tomas Mikus goes off for hooking.
	46:20	A golden chance for Clay Wilson coming in from the point, but he's stonewalled by Jaroslav Janus, who kicks it out with the pad.
	44:41	Goal for Slovan! It was a goal after all. The shot from the point by Kutlak was stopped by Janus, but MILAN BARTOVIC put the rebound off Laco's pad and just inside the post and quickly out off the pad. Credit the referee, he was right the first time. Assist: Zdenek Kutlak.
	44:41	They're signalling a Slovan goal off a shot from the point, but it sure looked like it hit the goalpost. We're going to replay.
	44:23	Petteri Wirtanen is going off for holding, and despite being outplayed for most of this game Slovan has a golden chance to tie this game on the power play.
	44:05	Offside Slovan.
	42:42	Dump-in by Donbass bounces to Janus, who's forced to cover.
	42:30	Icing Donbass again, this time on a stretch pass attempt out of the zone.
	42:22	Icing Donbass.
	41:24	Martin Stajnoch with the shot from the point for Slovan, caught and held by Jan Laco.
	40:58	Slovan back at full strength, Yevgeni Belukhin gets the period's first shot on goal, and eventually the puck goes out of play. Faceoff outside the Slovan zone.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		The teams are on the ice and the 3rd period faceoff is moments away. There's still :32 left in Tomas Mikus's double minor for hooking and tripping.
		Donbass continued to dominate early in the 2nd period and opened up a 2-0 lead, but Slovan started to turn the tide and managed to get on the board in the 35th minute. Donbass spend the late going of the period on the power play, which will in fact continue into the 3rd period, and was applying some late pressure. Shots on goal in the 2nd period (and game): Donbass 15 (24), Slovan 4 (7). Faceoff leaders: Donbass – Wirtanen 11/17, Slovan – Olvecky 8/15. Icetime leaders: Donbass – Bartulis 15:48, Slovan – Skoula 18:40. 3rd period begins at 20:40 EEST, 19:40 CEST, 13:40 EDT.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:33	Quick shot from Peter Pohardsky hits Janus in the arm, play continues.
	37:39	Slapper from Kaspar entering the zone hits Janus in the shoulder and goes out of play with 2:53 left in the double minor to Mikus.
	36:51	Offside Dano . . . it appears Mikus in fact got a double minor on the play, so there's 3:41 left in his penalty.
	36:32	After a lengthy delay, Slovan is getting a penalty, it's Tomas Mikus for tripping in his own zone as Donbass is trying to get the momentum back.
	35:38	Offside Slovan.
	34:52	Goal for Slovan! Right off the draw, a shot from the top of the circle was blocked and the puck was sitting loose for MARKO DANO to fire home. Assist: Tomas Mikus.
	34:48	Icing Donbass.
	34:24	Laco covers the puck and the two penalties are now over. I think Slovan got 1 shot on that 2-minute 2-man advantage, which isn't much.
	34:00	Slovan almost capitalizes, with a big shot from Sersen from the point and with Laco out of position Tomas Netik tipped it just wide from a sharp angle.
	33:30	Donbass ices for the 4th time, Slovan still shotless.
	32:50	Donbass has iced twice so far, Slovan without a shot yet on the 2-man advantage.
	32:25	Donbass getting two penalties on the play, Oskars Bartulis for tripping and I'm not sure the other, but Slovan, who have looked sluggish most of the game, now get a chance to get something going. They've looked better the past few minutes and will now try to get on the board.
	31:32	Another icing against Donbass, who blast it down the ice right off the draw.
	31:27	Icing Donbass.
	30:15	Laine tries to feed Fredrik Pettersson, who misfires.
	29:35	A good kill by Slovan, who kept the Donbass power play at bay those two minutes. We'll see if they can build on that.
	27:33	Things just going from bad to worse for Slovan, as Peter Olivecky goes off for slashing Shalimov on that play. The shot caught the pad of Janus, by the way
	27:05	Vladislav Shalimov comes out of the corner and shoots point blank on Janus, I'm not sure if that hit the post or Janus got a piece of it, but it stays out.
	26:47	Icing Slovan.
	25:47	Donbass keeps up the pressure, Clay Wilson with the wrister from the point, Janus catches it and holds on.
	24:31	Varlamov tries a centering pass out from the corner but Janus knocks it down and covers it.
	23:28	Slovan just can't relieve the pressure. This time it's Dadunov re-directing a shot on goal--there were Donbass players lurking in front but Janus doesn't give up a rebound. He'd done all he can so far.
	22:05	More Donbass pressure and Janus is forced to make another big save.
	20:59	Goal for Donbass! Donbass has started the 2nd period the same as the first, and right off the draw the get a shot to the net and YEVGENI BELUKHIN is there to bank it in off the skate of Janus. Assist: Clay Wilson, Yevgeni Dadonov.
	20:52	Icing Slovan.
	20:24	Great chance on the rush for Donbass, and an even greater toe save by Jaroslav Janus coming across.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Donbass was dominant in that first period right from the drop of the puck and held the edge in play almost continuously throughout. Shots on goal in the 1st period: Donbass 9, Slovan 3. Faceoff leaders: Donbass – Wirtanen 7/10, Slovan – Olvecky 5/7. Icetime leaders: Donbass – Bartulis 7:47, Slovan – Sersen 9:25. 2nd period begins at 19:48 EEST, 18:48 CEST, 12:48 EDT.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:47	Long shot from the blueline by Bartovic on a Slovan rush, Laco doesn't give up a rebound and covers it.
	19:25	A shot from the point by Blagoy is caught and held by Janus, who seems unhappy with all the traffic that's constantly in front of him.
	18:51	Tomas Mojzis pinches in to the top of the slot and lets go a wrister that hits a Donbass stick and goes out of play. Faceoff inside.
	18:20	Slovan back to full strength as Donbass has to regroup deep in their own zone.
	17:40	Teemu Laine attempts a shot from the point, blocked in front, Donbass keeps up the pressure.
	16:38	Play is whistled as Lukas Kaspar is holding his ear as if he caught a high stick--he was tied up with Jonathan Sigalet, but no penalty on the play. Faceoff at centre ice.
	16:13	Tomas Netik takes the hooking penalty deep in the attacking zone, hauling down Robitaille. Donbass back to the power play.
	14:23	Hudacek fires a shot wide, then gets the puck back and puts one on goal. Slovan with some pressure for the first time this game.
	13:59	Offside Donbass.
	13:20	A shot from the point from Piganovich and Janus holds on. The Donbass power play has been far more active than Slovan's. :11 left in it.
	11:31	Michal Sersen getting the gate for Slvoan for putting the hook on Dadonov in the neutral zone. Donbass with their first power play.
	11:06	Piganovich with another shot from the point with heavy traffic in front, it hits a body and deflects wide.
	10:54	Lukas Kaspar gets loose in the Slovan zone and his wrister hits Janus in the chest, who hangs on.
	10:12	Slovan goes offside on the rush. They really haven't got anything going on this power play. Blagyoy standing in the box with just :03 left in his penalty.
	09:03	Offside Slovan, 1:12 left in the power play.
	08:15	Roman Blagoy getting the game's first penalty for tripping, so Slovan going to the power play.
	06:50	Puck out of play in the Slovan zone, faceoff outside.
	04:42	Icing Donbass.
	03:46	Michal Vondrka gets Slovan's first shot on goal of the game, with Jan Laco deflecting it aside.
	02:53	Goal for Donbass! Dmitri Kagarlitsky passes back to the point to Oleg Piganovich, whose one-time slapper hits the stick of LUKAS KASPAR in front and goes in. Assists: Oleg Piganovich, Dmitri Kagarlitsky.
	00:57	Right off the draw Donbass gets possession and Dadonov gets a shot in close as he's knocked down. Janus stops and covers it.
	00:52	Maxim Yakutsenya with the game's first shot on goal for Donbass, it hits goaltender Jaroslav Janus and goes out of play. Faceoff inside.
	00:14	Offside Donbass.
	00:01	Game started.
		The national anthems of the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic and Ukraine have been played, and the opening faceoff is moments away.
		Starting Lineups: HC Donbass Donetsk: Laco (Berezin) – Kolář, Piganovich, Wilson, Podhradský, Razin, Bartulis, Silnitsky – Pettersson, Wirtanen, Laine, Yakutsena, Belukhin, Dadonov, Kašpar, Robitaille, Kagarlitsky, Blagoy, Varlamov, Shalimov HC Slovan Bratislava: Janus (Kopřiva) – Sersen, Škoula, Sigalet, Kutlák, Mojžíš, Štajnoch, Mihalík – Miklík, Bartovič, Bližňák, Netík, Mikúš, Vondrka, Ölvecký, Hudáček, Kukumberg Referees: Gofman, Buturlin – Maitak, Pronskik.
		The teams are now coming onto the ice for pre-game ceremonies, as this is the home opener for Donbass Donetsk. Donbass is wearing their home red uniforms with white, black and silver trim, black pants and helmets. Slovan is wearing road white with navy blue and dark red trim, navy pants and white helmets.
		This is the opening game of the season for these two Western Conference teams who are both entering their second seasons in the KHL, but in fact both teams are older than that. Donbass Donetsk was formed in 2005, while Slovan Bratislava's origins go all the way back to 1921. Last season, in their KHL debuts, Slovan finished 6th in the West and were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by eventual champion Dynamo Moscow, while Donbass finished 9th, just one point out of the playoffs. Donbass's lineup looks pretty similar to last year. They were led in goal in 12/13 by Slovak Jan Laco and Swede Erik Ersberg, and late in the season acquired American Chris Holt. Laco is back this season, joined by veteran Canadian NHLer Michael Leighton. The defence is pretty similar, with Slovak Peter Podhradsky, American Clay Wilson and Czech Jan Kolar all returning. Up front, the top two lines remain in tact, with Yevgeni Danonov, Vaclav Nedorost, Lukas Kaspar, Tuomas Kiiskinen, Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Varlamov all returning. They do have a new head coach, however, with Russian Andrei Nazarov taking over the reigns. As for Slovan, Jaroslav Janus was the mainstay in goal this season and he is back, though Czech acquisition Miroslav Kopriva might push him for more playing time. Despite only playing during the NHL lockout, Lubomir Visnovsky was the team's leading scorer on defence. He's not back, nor is Andrej Sekara, but Canadian Jonathan Sigalet, Czech Tomas Mojzis and Slovaks Martin Stajnoch and Michal Mihalik are. Czech Martin Skoula has been added as well. Up front, all eyes will be on NHL first-round draft pick Marko Dano to have a breakthrough sophomore season in the KHL. Five of their top six forwards from last year are back, including leading scorer Michel Miklik, Roman Kukumberg, Libor Hudacek, Mario Bliznak and Milan Bartovic.
		Welcome. This game starts at 19:00 EEST local time in Donetsk, 18:00 CEST in Bratislava, 12:00 EDT.

Commentary by

Derek OBrien

@@Djob76

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 3. Kaspar (Piganovich, Kagarlitsky), 21. Belukhin (Wilson, Dadonov), 52. Yakutsenya (Piganovich), 59. Kolar – 35. Dano (Mikus), 45. Bartovic (Kutlak)

HC Donbass Donetsk: Laco (Berezin) – Kolář, Piganovich, Wilson, Podhradský, Razin, Bartulis, Silnicky – Pettersson, Wirtanen, Laine, Yakutsena, Belukhin, Dadonov, Kašpar, Robitaille, Kagarlitsky, Blagoy, Varlamov, Shalimov

HC Slovan Bratislava: Janus (Kopřiva) – Sersen, Škoula, Sigalet, Kutlák, Mojžíš, Štajnoch, Mihalík – Miklík, Bartovič, Bližňák, Netík, Mikúš, Vondrka, Ölvecký, Hudáček, Kukumberg

Referees: Gofman, Buturlin – Maitak, Pronskik

1st period
	02:53
	08:15
	11:31
	16:13
1st intermission
2nd period
	20:59
	27:33
	32:25
	34:52
	36:32
2nd intermission
3rd period
	44:23
	44:41
	47:30
	48:50
	51:06
	57:36
	58:01
Final