DON 2:5 ZAG | HC Donbass Donetsk - Medvescak Zagreb (KHL)

KHL

Lokomotiv – Khabarovsk	0:1 (0:1 after SO)	\|	CSKA – Metallurg M	2:1 (after SO)	\|	Mytishchi – Novosibirsk	1:2 (after OT)
SKA St. Petersburg – Novokuznetsk	4:1 (end)	\|	Donbass – Medvescak	2:5 (end)	\|	Riga – Neftekhimik	2:1 (end)
HC Slovan – Salavat Yulaev	2:1 (1:0 after SO)	\|	Lev – Traktor	7:2 (end)

final

HC Donbass Donetsk

2:5 (1:2, 0:1, 1:2)

Medvescak Zagreb

Friday 11.10.2013, 18:00 • Druzhba Palace of Sports • KHL

		Thank you for following today's KHL action with us, until next time, goodbye. (20:14:34)
		Today's game shows how a wrong impression of the game you can get from looking at plain stats. Donbass outshot their opponent 40-28, conceded on five occasions and scored only twice.
		Shots on goal: DON 15 (40), MED 13 (28) Faceoffs: DON 9 (31), MED 7 (24) Penalties: DON 0 (6), MED 2 (10) Powerplay: DON 1/5, MED 2/3 Ice leaders: DON – Maxim Yakutsenya – 22:18 MED – Matthieu Carle – 27:18.
		Medvescak takes 8th in a row, beats Donbass 5:2 in Donetsk and takes a leap over them in the standings. Fantastic display lately by the Zagreb side, and if they can keep it up, they will make everyone work extremely hard to beat them.
	60:00	Game over.
	59:08	Ivan Svarny (MED) gets called for interference, but that doesn't matter anymore as the game is over.
	58:30	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! Empty netter to seal the deal! Moments after Leighton left for the bench, BILL THOMAS strikes from the left board and beats Clay Wilson who tried to deflect the shot for the final word today. Unassisted.
	58:00	Two minutes to go.
	57:34	Cheechoo gets the feed to Thomas on the right side whose one-timer is somehow deflected to the left side and wide.
	56:06	The defense keeps the game in favour of Medvescak as Donbass get on the offense, Brust is beaten by a pass back to the slot from the left, and one-timer taken for the empty net, the defense is able to deflect it.
	55:26	Donbass get on the offense trying to feed to the slot, but can't find a precise shot to beat Brust, who is doing great lately.
	54:51	Cheechoo takes a shot from the right coming towards the net, gets hit from the back legally and we have a scramble that is brought to the end by the whistle, faceoff in Donbass' zone.
	54:03	Donbass try to open up and get down the ice for an offense, while Medvescak have five minutes to hold and get the 8th in the row.
		Today's attendance is 4003.
	52:48	As Brust makes another big save, Medvescak go on the breakaway, but in the dying moments they're denied with a stick deflection from the defense.
	51:10	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! Medvescak take a slight initiative and immediately score. ANDREW MURRAY was the luckiest to touch the puck before it went past the goal line from the scramble before Leighton. Bjorsktrand took it from behind the net to the right, fired a shot, deflected by Leighton, but then Murray skates right on it. Assist: Patrick Bjorkstrand.
	50:45	Ivan Svarny took a shot from outside reaching the blue, it's over the glass into the netting off a defenseman's stick.
	49:59	Bill Thomas gets the puck to Jonathan Cheechoo who is captaining today and he fires a wrister as he gets across the blue on the left, easy job for Leighton who makes a chest save.
	48:56	Goal for Donbass! Just as I say it, Donbass score. PETTERI WIRTANEN gets the puck onskating towards the net from the right boards and as he reaches the post a feed is sent, he only had to tip it a bit and get Donbass into a more comfortable situation. Assist: Vaclav Nedorost.
	48:08	Medvescak give out the feeling like they're waiting for the game to finish, getting completely dominated by the home side.
	47:04	Medvescak take the puck down and into the zone but can't organize and make a couple of passes to get a shooting spot.
	46:21	Yegor Morozov seeks a feed to the slot coming over the right and gets it as he reaches the post, but it goes through and Medvescak get on it first.
	45:56	Patrik Bjorkstrand tried to feed the slot from the left, the puck gets intercepted and then Robby Robitaille finds himself in the slot on the other side for a breakaway, though Brust is focused.
	45:38	And it's Brust again snapping a glove save on a shot from the slot. The game is fast-paced with lots of action.
	45:05	Goalies are forming a key part of the game through these first 5 minutes of the third as the game is taken both ways with some fine saves by both Leighton and Brust, who could both compete for Goalie of the month for October.
	44:09	Mike Leighton could feel a bit uncomfortable now as his defense allows three easy, quick, uncovered shots, but he manages all of it with no big problems.
	43:19	Brust saves another one as Dadonov fires a left puck at the edge of the right circle.
	42:38	Barry Brust keeps the net untouched on a one-timed slapper blast from the blueline, and Medvescak can build from it.
	42:18	Let's call it a shot from Matt Murley from the slot, although it was more of a pass for Leighton to cover.
	42:00	Donbass go offside entering the zone so the faceoff comes in the netural.
	41:28	No real offense established by either team so far, the play is mainly in the neutral zone.
	40:19	Again it's Medvescak winning the faceoff and taking the offense down the ice, but Donbass manage to defend.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Third period starts at approx. 19:38 CET, 22:38 MSK, 13:38 EDT.
		Shots on goal: DON 11 (25), MED 7 (15) Faceoffs: DON 8 (22), MED 10 (17) Penalties: DON 2 (6), MED 4 (8) Powerplay: DON 1/4, MED 2/3 Ice leaders: DON – Oleg Piganovich – 14:45 MED – Matthieu Carle – 19:29.
		The second period ends with only one goal, a surprising strike by Ryan right from the faceoff, you don't see that very often. Donbass took some initiative and got rid of the pressure, but couldn't find the way to the net and will work hard in the third period to catch up with their visitors.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:44	Another opportunity for Donbass from the left, Brust makes another deflection save and keeps Medvescak up by two.
	39:14	A shot comes off the right side as Donbass enter the zone, Barry Brust is ready and focused forcing a faceoff deep in Medvescak's zone.
	39:00	One minute to go in the second period.
	38:13	With Morozov down on the ice lying Medvescak continue their offense, Leighton makes a crucial save not to let that on in from maybe half a metre distance on the right. Huge save!
	36:51	Brust makes another huge save as Morozov gets the feed from the left and into the slot, the shot coming off his stick one-timed, Brust recovers and makes the deflection in the waning moments.
	32:46	Medvescak back at full strength.
	32:08	Medvescak with four men.
		As mentioned before, the stream from the KHL is extremely low quality and doesn't work most of the time, so there might be a delay in the coverage.
	30:49	Mark Katic is called for delaying the game at the boards in his own zone, and Medvescak will go two men down.
	30:11	Powerplay coming up for Donbass as Kurtis Foster (MED) is called to the box for cross-checking.
	28:22	Yakutsenya could have scored from the slot, though Brust denies the hosts twice, Pohradsky being on the second strike.
	27:28	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! Off the faceoff on the left MICHAEL RYAN takes a hard slapper and Leighton can only watch the puck go by. Assist: Ryan Vesce.
	26:38	Evgeny Belukhin (DON) gets the call for slashing.
		Mark French, Medvescak's coach, takes the timeout.
	25:05	Fedotenko leaves the puck at the blueline for Teemu Laine who fires into the near post for Brust to make a deflection on the left.
	24:12	Donbass ice the puck twice in the last half-minute trying to clear the danger away as Medvescak put pressure down the ice.
	23:31	Right off the faceoff from the left Brust makes another deflection aside to the left, so Medvescak regroup.
	23:17	Barry Brust makes another save coming from sharp left, no problem for the visiting goalie.
	22:52	Jonathan Cheechoo hits the post coming from the right circle with a defenseman on his back.
	22:18	The game is again coast-to-coast with both teams taking shots on either side. Murley now tries Leighton but he's ready for a low shot to the right.
	20:17	Medvescak establish an offense early on into the second taking the puck into the zone and circling around.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		With players back on the ice, we're looking forward to continue the game shortly.
		Second period starts at 18:53 CET, 21:51 MSK, 12:51 EDT.
		Shots on goal: DON 14 – Kaspar (3), LAINE, Morozov, Nedorost (2) MED 8 – BJORKSTRAND (2), THOMAS (1) Faceoffs: DON 14, MED 7 Penalties: DON 4, MED 4 Powerplay: DON 1/2, MED 1/2 Ice leaders: DON – Maxim Yakutsenya – 7:24 MED – Matthieu Carle – 10:23.
		The period ends with Donbass cutting the lead to half through Teemu Laine. Medvescak didn't have the best of starts midway through the period, but then stroke twice quickly on their first shot and got the lead. They'll have to keep up the tempo in order to stop Donbass who proved to be very dangerous.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	18:53	Goal for Donbass! TEEMU LAINE finds himself all alone in the slot on a deflection and puts the puck behind Brust who can't recover. Assists: Oleg Piganovich, Lukas Kaspar.
	17:59	Perkovich is back, 5-on-4 for Donbass.
	17:57	Dario Kostovic (MED) smashes his opponent into the boards and gets called for it.
	17:33	So far in the powerplay Donbass took only a few shots, and they still struggle to enter the zone.
	16:38	A great slapshot misses the net by inches coming from the left side from Donbass, Medvescak are happy not to concede now.
	16:11	The first wave killed successfully, Donbass have to restart from deep back.
	15:59	Medvescak will have to kill a penalty as Nathan Perkovich (MED) gets called for slashing.
	15:36	Michael Leighton is forced to make a deflection as the shot comes from the right circle with a wristshot, Medvescak looking solid both ways. Donbass struggle a bit to keep quality possession.
	15:14	Just as they got back to five aside, Donbass take the puck down the ice and try to deke Brust, but he covers the five-hole and forces a stoppage.
	15:07	Donbass is back at full strength.
	14:02	Medvescak still have their extra attacker being on the powerplay and don't show signs of hesitation to keep attacking.
	13:27	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! With two men up Medvescak double the lead. Kurtis Foster from the blue forwards the pass to BILL THOMAS who finds himself in a perfect spot at the edge of the left circle and fires a one-timer into the upper right, again the glove side for Leighton. Assists: Kurtis Foster, Matt Murley.
	13:07	Sergei Varlamov (DON) is called on the previous play for slashing.
	12:54	With half a minute to go, Medvescak has a good powerplay squad on the ice, but Donbass is killing the penalty successfully clearing the puck away and not allowing many shooting opportunities.
	11:34	Randy Robitaille (DON) gets called for high-sticking on the previous play, Medvescak with man up for the first time.
	11:34	Brust makes a crucial save to keep his team alive as the shot comes just outside the crease from the left post, Brust deflects into the bar and out.
	10:16	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! First come, first serve! With their first shot the visiting side scores as PATRIK BJORKSTRAND opens the scoring taking the puck into the zone through the middle and firing a blast to the upper glove side of Michael Leighton, who can't stop the shot. Unassisted.
	09:56	Mike Glumac takes an easy shot on Leighton taking a turn at the right circle, the goalie covers for a stoppage.
	09:21	Another offside as Medvescak enter the zone so the faceoff will come in the neutral zone. Medvescak still without a shot midway through the period.
	08:09	Medvescak can't leave the zone as the pass gets intercepted on the blue line, but luckily Morozov in the slot couldn't react properly alone with a one-timer.
	07:28	The game is coast to coast with Donbass taking a slight initiative, taking shots on goal. So far we're 7-0 in favour of the Ukrainian side.
	06:27	An easy shot from Yegor Morozov for Barry Brust as Donbass take the momentum and are eager to score the opener.
	05:35	Lukas Kaspar bursts out with the puck for the breakaway and takes a backhander exitting the right circle, Brust deflects aside with the help of his pads.
	05:09	The faceoff comes in the neutral zone as Medvescak were offside entering the zone through the middle.
	04:19	We're sorry for the delay, but the internet connection was dead for a few moments. We're back as Wilson takes a shot from the slot on Brust, who has no problem deflecting the one timer.
	00:19	Donbass wins the faceoff but struggle to leave their own zone as Medvescak put high forecheck from early on.
	00:01	Game started.
		The national anthems are over and the opening faceoff is moments away.
		Starting lineups: HC Donbass Donetsk: Leighton (Dyatlov) – Wilson, Nedorost, Yakutsenya, Podhradsky, Dadonov – Bartulis, Wirtannen, Fedotenko, Piganovich, Laine – Robitaille, Kaspar, Kolar, Razin, Toryanik, Silnitsky, Belukhin, Varlamov, Morozov Medvescak Zagreb: Brust (Vasiljevic) – Thomas, Cheechoo, Murley, Martinovic, Carle – Svarny, Vesce, Ryan, Foster, Ellison – Murray, Pikkarainen, Bjorkstrand, Kostovic, Katic – Glumac, Koren, Kane, Perkovich Referees: Bulanov, Rogachyov – Zakharenkov, Sivov.
		The match between Donbass Donetsk and Medvescak Zagreb this evening is a true top game as the 3rd of Western Conference plays against the 4th. Both teams earned 25 points by now but Medvescak needed 15 games for it while Donbass was able to collect their points in one match less. Donbass is in an excellent form currently but their four game winning streak against Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (2-0), Avagard Omsk (6-1) and Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (4-2 and 3-0) was stopped on Tuesday by Spartak Moscow (1-2). Medvescak even had a more impressive record with 7 consecutive wins, three of them in October against Avangard Omsk (4-0), Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (6-0) and Dinamo Minsk (3-2 OT). Donbass' scoring leader is Maxim Yakutsenya (13 points) who is followed by a total of six players wiht 9 points. For Medvescak the top scores have been Ryan Vesce (14 points), Matt Murley (13 points) and Jonathan Cheechoo (12 points) so far. Which team can continue with a positive trend, we'll see soon!
		Welcome. Game starts at 17:00 GMT / 18:00 CET / 20:00 MSK.

Commentary by

Alan Ilijic

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 19. Laine (Piganovich, Kaspar), 49. Wirtanen (Nedorost) – 11. Bjorkstrand, 14. Thomas (Foster, Murley), 28. Ryan (Vesce), 52. Murray (Bjorkstrand.), 59. Thomas

HC Donbass Donetsk: Leighton (Dyatlov) – Wilson, Nedorost, Yakutsenya, Podhradsky, Dadonov – Bartulis, Wirtannen, Fedotenko, Piganovich, Laine – Robitaille, Kaspar, Kolar, Razin, Toryanik, Silnitsky, Belukhin, Varlamov, Morozov

Medvescak Zagreb: Brust (Vasiljevic) – Thomas, Cheechoo, Murley, Martinovic, Carle – Svarny, Vesce, Ryan, Foster, Ellison – Murray, Pikkarainen, Bjorkstrand, Kostovic, Katic – Glumac, Koren, Kane, Perkovich

Referees: Bulanov, Rogachyov – Zakharenkov, Sivov

Attendance: 4003

1st period
	10:16
	11:34
	13:07
	13:27
	15:59
	17:57
	18:53
1st intermission
2nd period
	26:38
	27:28
	30:11
	30:49
2nd intermission
3rd period
	48:56
	51:10
	58:30
Final