KHL
Avangard – Vityaz 4:2 (end) | Ak Bars – Khabarovsk 4:3 (end) | SKA St. Petersburg – Torpedo 1:0 (end)
CSKA – Dynamo 4:6 (end)
final
SKA St. Petersburg
1:0 (1:0, 0:0, 0:0)
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Friday 07.12.2012, 15:30 • Ice Palace - St. Petersburg • KHL
     
    SKA gets revenge from the earlier match this season, winning 1-0 over Torpedo. The game was a special teams affair with Torpedo getting 14 penalty minutes against and SKA receiving 16.

    The difference in the game was the first period powerplay goal by Kalinin that found its way through traffic and snuck in short side on Koval.

    Both goaltenders were exceptional tonight with Bobrovsky winning the battle. Bobrovsky made some crucial saves in the third period on the penalty kill to preserve SKA's lead and eventual win tonight.

    When the teams were not in the penalty box, they each evenly shared possession of the puck and gave the fans an entertaining fast paced game.

    Next for SKA is a trip to Metallurg on Dec.19. Torpedo continues their search for a win in December as they host Avtomobilist on the 19th.

    Thank you for following. (18:52:52)
     
    Torpedo's Hietanen finished the game as the time on ice leader playing 29 minutes.
     
    SKA finished had slight edge in faceoffs 33/64 (51.6%).
     
    Attempts at net 38 - 31 in favour of Torpedo. Final shot total 25-21 for Torpedo.
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    Game over
     
    Shot blocked again
     
    15 seconds left
     
    Empty net shot attempt by SKA missed
     
    Shot blocked by SKA
     
    40 seconds left in game
     
    Turnover at redline by Torpedo, Torpedo regrouping, dump puck in SKA zone, SKA ices puck
     
    Hietanen with that shot
     
    Pass out front, save Bobrovsky!
     
    6 v 5 for Torpedo
     
    Torpedo has pulled their goalie
     
    Visiting team timeout.
     
    SKA trying to stretch the winger, but gets called for icing
     
    58:00
    2 minutes left in play
     
    Chance for Kovalchuk! Defenseman does a good job preventing him from getting shot on net.
     
    Even strength
     
    Torpedo with a chance, Bobrovsky steers it away.
     
    Torpedo on powerplay
     
    54:58
    Makarov (SKA) 2 min interference and 2 min for roughing
     
    54:58
    Semin (Torpedo) 2 min for roughing
     
    What happend was Koval decided to cover up the puck late as players were crashing the net, Makarov didn't stop in time and came in contact with a Torpedo player that fell on Koval.
     
    Got some penalties coming up
     
    Koval was roughed up a bit as all the players come together behind the net.
     
    Another chance for Torpedo, shot blocked!
     
    Amazing back and forth rushes and scoring chances. Entertaining game
     
    Partial breakaway for Torpedo! Shot wide!
     
    Great play for SKA as Thoresen tips the puck on net after a pass from Martensson. Saved
     
    Another chance for SKA, saved by Koval
     
    Martensson shot, saved by Koval
     
    Gorbunov with a chance, but the shot hits Bobrovsky square in the head, whistle is blown.
     
    Best powerplay chances of the night for Torpedo, but Bobrovsky is a wall right now.
     
    even strength
     
    Semin with a great shot, but again Bobrovsky makes a great save.
     
    Ellison pass to the side of net, tipped by Thornberg, great save by Bobrovsky!
     
    50:21
    Chudinov (SKA) 2 min for hooking
     
    Another penalty coming up to SKA
     
    Drop pass from Makarov to Bykov, Bykov unleashes a slaphot, but Bobrovsky displays excellent rebound control and manages to hold on to the high shoulder shot.
     
    Torpedo with a shot as Bobrovsky covers up.
     
    Approaching halfway mark of 3rd period.
     
    Three great chances for SKA! Shot from the point leads to two rebound opportunities!
     
    Back and forth play going on with both clubs struggling to get any chances to the net. Teams trying to find momentum after the string of powerplay and penalty kills
     
    Prucha shoots wide on 2 v 2 chance
     
    Even strength
     
    puck cleared out by Torpedo
     
    SKA on powerplay for 50 seconds now
     
    Two great chances for SKA as Dallman unleashes a shot from the point and the rebound is picked up, but Koval shuts the door.
     
    Teams are yet again, 4 v 4
     
    42:22
    Varnakov (Torpedo) 2 min for high sticking
     
    penalty to Torpedo
     
    Torpedo with two shots to start powerplay
     
    41:30
    Team penalty (SKA) 2 min for too many players
     
    too many men penalty coming up to SKA
     
    both teams even strength
     
    Torpedo with a 10 second powerplay
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    4 v 4 to start
     
    Teams are back on the ice
     
    One of the special guests in attendance at today's game is 18 year NHL veteran, Hockey Hall of Fame legend, Team Canada Captain from 1972 USSR vs Canada Series, Phil Esposito.
     
    SKA still leading in faceoffs, going 13 for 22 in the second period. Tikhonov 5 for 7 in second.
     
    Shots for second period in favour of SKA 8-6. Shots overall 15-14 for Torpedo. Semin leading game with 3 shots.
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    Teams are again, 4 v 4
     
    38:35
    Tikhonov (SKA) 2 min for slashing
     
    Tikhonov batted the puck out of mid air like a baseball player and now has taken a penalty
     
    SKA goal waived off as the ref says it was hit by a high stick
     
    Goal has been waived off by referee
     
    38:25
    Zainullin (Torpedo) 2 min for interference
     
    Kovalchuk pass from corner to Martensson, but Martensson cannot get it through Koval. Great chance! Teams are even strength now
     
    SKA on the powerplay now for 36 seconds
     
    Koval two quick saves
     
    35:57
    Bykov (Torpedo) 2 min for hooking
     
    Kovalchuk draws a penalty on the play, as the teams are now 4 v 4
     
    Great shorthanded chance for SKA as Kovalchuck receives an amazing saucer pass but Koval makes a great save!
     
    35:21
    Nepryayev (SKA) 2 min for hooking
     
    hooking penalty coming up to SKA's Nepryayev
     
    Makarov shot, steered away by Bobrovsky
     
    Recent internet sensations, SKA Sisters, entertaining the capacity crowd during the commercial break.
     
    Chance at the side of the net for Torpedo, Bobrovsky covers up
     
    Even strength
     
    Short handed chance for Varnakov, hits Bobrovsky in the shoulder and goes out of play
     
    Torpedo adjusting their penalty kill, playing more agressive and not letting SKA set up
     
    31:31
    Hietanen (Torpedo) 2 min for high-sticking
     
    penalty to Torpedo coming up as all the players gather in the corner to share some shoves
     
    Game is getting more physical now, more hits are being delivered and checks are being finished
     
    Semin walks out from behind the net, but Bobrovsky shuts the door
     
    Even strength
     
    Koval looking strong in the net
     
    SKA dominating on this powerplay. Torpedo dizzy with all the passes
     
    SKA two great chances with cross crease passes, but the shot couldn't get off!!
     
    SKA is now on the powerplay
     
    Teams are 4 v 4 for 20 seconds
     
    27:06
    Bykov (Torpedo) 2 min for interference
     
    Penalty to Torpedo coming up
     
    Semin on the wall, looking for an opening or pass, takes shot, goes wide. Puck is cleared out by SKA
     
    25:24
    Kalinin (SKA) 2 min for cross-checking
     
    Penalty to SKA coming up
     
    Chernov with a off angle shot on Bobrovsky, but Bobrovsky smothers puck
     
    Tarasenko has the puck glued to his stick, as he dangles in the corner and walks out for a chance, but the defense block the shot. Impressive skill by Tarasenko
     
    Looks like Chudinov will be fine, just needs to visit a dentist after the game.
     
    Chudinov getting some medical attention on the SKA bench as he had a puck deflected right into his mouth during his last shift.
     
    SKA shutting down the neutral zone, Torpedo having trouble getting through and going offside
     
    SKA all over Torpedo to start
     
    Thoresen with a great chance as he cut across the slot and got a shot off, but Koval came way of his net and made the save
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Time on ice leaders for the game so far: Torpedo's defenseman Malenkikh and Vasilyev registering over 8 minutes of ice time.
     
    Very fast paced start to the game as these teams posses great skill and talent. Great opportunities by both teams, but SKA having the better scoring chances in the game so far.

    Torpedo needs to capitalize on their opportunities and get better shots on Bobrovsky.
     
    Martensson taking 9 faceoffs that period and winning 6 for SKA
     
    SKA having better success in the faceoffs, 12/19 (63.2 %)
     
    Shots 9-6 in favour of Torpedo after 1st period
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    End of Period
     
    even strength
     
    Great chance by Semin but he couldn't get a good shot off as he was all alone at the side of the net!
     
    one minute left in period
     
    SKA turnover at the blueline, but Semin could only put on a chest shot that Bobrovsky smothers easily
     
    17:36
    Chudinov (SKA) 2 min for interference
     
    Penalty coming up to SKA
     
    Torpedo amounting more pressure now
     
    Shot by Volenchenkov, saved by Bobrovsky
     
    Torpedo on a 3 v 2, but Makarov's pass gets tipped and the shot cannot get off
     
    Bobrovsky with an aerial pass that lands in the neutral zone on Kovalchuck's stick, but no play to the net is made as the defense break it up.
     
    Afinogenov displaying speed and control in Torpedo's zone, but puck knocked out by Torpedo
     
    11:39
    Goal for SKA!
    Scorer is KALININ. Assisted by Thoresen, Martensson. Off the faceoff, puck went right to Kalinin and he let a slapshot go that somehow went through the traffic and beat Koval short side. Powerplay Goal
     
    Kovalchuk with a cross ice pass, one timer! But amazing save by Koval as he gets his glove out!
     
    10:50
    Thornberg (Torpedo) 2 min for tripping
     
    Penalty coming up to Torpedo
     
    Great chance by Torpedo! But Makarov couldn't get it through
     
    Great chance on an odd man rush by SKA but Koval kicks the puck out.
     
    Drop pass by Galuzin to Makarov, but Makarov could only muster a weak backhand on Bobrovsky as he smothers the puck.
     
    Thoresen with a shot from the wing, but Koval kicks out his left leg
     
    SKA's Thoresen line getting lots of ice time to start.
     
    SKA playing a very high, conservative 1-2-2 forecheck to start, giving Torpedo lots of time to breakout.
     
    Varnakov crosses over the blue line and lets a quick shot go through the SKA defense, but Bobrovsky's chest in where the puck ends up again.
     
    SKA's first line having trouble getting puck out of their end, Torpedo playing a sound 1-2-2 forecheck to start
     
    Breakaway pass for Martesson just off, icing call against SKA
     
    Zainullin with a shot from the point, Bobrovsky with another chest smother
     
    Makarov hard at work in Torpedo's corner, but cannot get the puck to the net
     
    Torpedo registers first shot of the game, Bobrovsky smothers it up. Faceoff to the right of him.
     
    Clean faceoff win by Torpedo's Ellison
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    Ceremonial puck drop taking place
     
    Hello and welcome to today’s Western Conference matchup between SKA St. Petersburg and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. This is the second time the clubs have met this season with Torpedo winning the October 26 game, 4-2.

    SKA is sitting 3rd in the West (4th overall) while Torpedo is 8th (13th overall). Torpedo has started off the month of December with two losses while SKA has one win.

    Torpedo’s Martin Thornberg and Mikhail Varnakov sit 2nd and 3rd respectively in the leagues top goal producers, while SKA’s Ilya Kovalchuk leads his club with 14 goals and 18 assists.

    NHL Lockout Players
    SKA: G Bobrovsky (Columbus), F Kovalchuk (New Jersey), F Tarasenko (St. Louis)
    Torpedo: F Semin (Carolina)
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 15:30.
    Commentary by

    Tyler Bilton

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 12. KALININ (Thoresen, Martensson)

    SKA St. Petersburg: Bobrovsky (Ivannikov) - Kalinin, Chudinov; Dallman, Alexandrov; Semenov, Berdyukov; Vorobyov - Martensson, Prucha, Thoresen; Tikhonov, Kovalchuk, Tarasenko; Kucheryavenko, Makarov, Klimko; Nepryayev, Federov, Sigaryov, Afinogenov
    Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod: Koval (Maslakov) - Hietanen, Malenkikh; Varlamov, Bykov; Volchenkov, Vasilyev; - Varnakov, Semin, Ellison; Galuzin, Makarov, Thornberg; Cheronov, Zainullin, Gorbunov; Valuisky, Potapov, Schastlivy
    Referees: Buturlin Mikhail, Evgeny Romasko - Metalnikov Eduard, Alexander Sirotkin
    Attendance: 12300