KHL
Lokomotiv – Dynamo 2:1 (end) | CSKA – SKA St. Petersburg 1:2 (after OT) | Riga – Donbass 7:3 (end)
Medvescak – Lev 2:5 (end)
final/OT
CSKA Moscow
1:2 (1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 0:1)
SKA St. Petersburg
Monday 10.03.2014, 14:00 • Ice Palace CSKA • KHL
     
    Roman Cervenka's fantastic powerplay winner has given SKA a vital 2-1 victory over CSKA, a victory which means that the Saint Petersburgers now go 3-0 up in the series! CSKA had their own powerplay in overtime but they couldn't take advantage of it and SKA punished them in the perfect manner. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more thrilling KHL playoff action! (17:05:25)
     
    Game over.
     
    71:05
    Goal for SKA! They've done it! Excellent build up play is finished off by ROMAN CERVENKA who hammers a one timer past Glass from the right faceoff circle, powerplay goal and it's 2-1! Assists- Dmitriy Kalinin and Kevin Dallman
     
    70:20
    The visitors are now back at full strength and have a small powerplay opportunity for themselves
     
    70:17
    Dallman whacks the puck into Glass's glove from outside the blue line to force him to cover. And SKA have now taken a timeout
     
    70:01
    SKA move offside
     
    69:38
    CSKA are giving it everything they've got but they've picked up a needless penalty to even up the numbers, Saprykin for slashing has been penalised
     
    68:42
    Right off the faceoff draw Deron Quint smashes a slapshot into Salak who lets the puck drop to Prokhorkin but the young forward just can't squeeze it home!
     
    68:20
    Dinar Khafizullin for high sticking against Prokhorkin has been sent to the penalty box and CSKA have a big chance here to finish this game off
     
    67:11
    Nepryaev from an awkward angle against the left hand boards checks that Salak is awake with his pads
     
    66:36
    Salak at the second attempt dives on a strong Pervyshin slapshot from just outside the SKA zone
     
    65:09
    Semyonov this time lets go but it's not as hard for Glass to deal with
     
    64:49
    Dallman! What a chance to win the game for SKA! Kovalchuk with a wonderful cross ice pass releases the open Dallman who winds up and finds only Glass!
     
    64:37
    Just after Ketov couldn't find anyone on the slot for SKA Misharin goes up the other end but from the left faceoff circle he hits only the body of Salak
     
    64:02
    Pervyshin fires through a crowd of bodies from distance but it gets deflected before it can come to Salak!
     
    62:40
    CSKA have taken up the early initiative in overtime, they know that already at 2-0 down in the series they can ill afford to lose today
     
    61:59
    It's another icing from the home side
     
    61:20
    Salak has to be very alert at his near right hand post to deny a snapshot from Filppula from what appeared an impossible angle!
     
    60:09
    Icing is committed by CSKA
     
    60:01
    Here we go in overtime! Remember that in the playoffs there is no shootouts, so we will keep on playing until the next goal is scored.
     
    60:01
    Overtime began.
     
    Statistics after the initial 60 minutes of game time-

    Shots (on target)- 63 (35)- 54 (24)
    Faceoffs- 26-31
    Hits- 26-20
    Penalty minutes- 32-43
     
    60:00
    3rd period finished.
     
    59:34
    Chudinov from way outside the CSKA zone lets rip and forces Glass into conceding a faceoff in his zone
     
    59:30
    We're now into the final 30 seconds of the game and if we won't see a goal now overtime is coming up
     
    58:00
    It's now the final two minutes of the third period with CSKA starting to really take the initiative
     
    56:07
    With traffic in front of him Zharkov looks for his shot to get a deflection but it flies wide and into the boards
     
    54:52
    Salak makes a header save with his mask as Jan Mursak sent in a high wrist shot from the right
     
    53:44
    There hasn't been too many chances in the last few minutes with both teams aware of the time left
     
    51:48
    Morozov and Filppula desperately look for any decent shooting opportunities, but it comes to nothing after a good 30 seconds in the zone
     
    51:15
    SKA commit icing
     
    50:18
    The loose puck falls to Ilya Kablukov, he lays off for Andrey Sigaryov who finds Glass's glove with a low powerful shot from the right!
     
    49:25
    Khafizullin! He just saves the puck from leaving the zone, he winds up and smacks the outside of the left hand post with a ferocious slapshot!
     
    47:49
    Zaitsev! Frolov feeds him free cutting into the zone but he can only wrist over the bar with Salak slightly out of position!
     
    46:18
    Lisin! With a sharp wraparound pass he finds Prokhorkin on the left hand post as bodies are piling upon Salak and he hits the post from point blank range, what a chance!
     
    46:08
    The visitors ice the puck
     
    45:40
    Both teams are looking to tighten up their defences, they know that this game is on a knife edge
     
    45:06
    Glass is falling all around his own crease and a big slapshot from the point just doesn't catch him out!
     
    43:10
    Frolov receives the puck behind the net, attempts a wraparound attempt but the goalkeeper's left pad is stuck out in time!
     
    42:32
    Pervyshin! He finishes off a pacy CSKA counterattack with a heavy slapper from the right faceoff circle but Salak sees it all the way!
     
    41:43
    CSKA are now back at full strength
     
    41:12
    The visitors move the puck around well but Kevin Dallman's attempt from distance doesn't stay on target!
     
    40:01
    Remember that SKA start the third period on the powerplay for 01:43 with Grigorenko in the penalty box for the home side
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening 40 minutes of play-

    Shots (on target)- 44 (24)- 41 (19)
    Faceoffs- 17-23
    Hits- 17-18
    Penalty minutes- 32-43
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:43
    The referees have noticed another offence and it's against Grigorenko for roughing, so SKA will most probably start the third period on the powerplay
     
    39:30
    It's now the final 30 seconds of an high quality second period
     
    38:54
    The puck pops out to Ponikarovskiy who's lurking on the left faceoff circle and he fires into Glass's pads!
     
    37:09
    Kovalchuk! Just like in the first period he shows just what he can do flooring his defender, looks to go glove side on Glass but can't keep the puck on target!
     
    36:31
    Mad scramble on the SKA crease and the visitors somehow manage to send it clear with sticks flying everywhere!
     
    36:03
    Tikhonov! It's a super rush to the net from the forward, he attempts to sneak the puck under Glass's left pad but the goalkeeper stands his ground!
     
    35:09
    A home breakout is lead by Ivan Neprayev, he jinks in and out of his opposing defender but his wrist shot is routine work for Salak
     
    34:12
    Tikhonov just avoiding going offside skates through on the right, tries to use Nikita Zaitsev as a screen but the defender manages to deflect it up and out of play
     
    33:46
    Glass does the splits as he shows his gymnastic skills to deny a heavy slapper from Semyonov from the point!
     
    31:47
    Kablukov battles for the puck behind Glass's net, it pops out to the crease and Glass gets his glove on it
     
    31:08
    Morozov! His low rasping wrist shot almost creeps into Salak's right hand post but the goalkeeper sticks out a big pad to keep it out!
     
    30:48
    Zharkov! Two on one breakaway for the hosts, Danil Zharkov goes for a mighty slapper instead of passing and Semyonov laying on the ice heroically blocks his blast!
     
    30:05
    SKA ice the puck
     
    29:37
    Both teams are now back to full strength with the score locked so far at 1-1
     
    29:29
    Quint skates into the zone on the right, lays it back to Fefelov who's unmarked but Salak is equal to his effort
     
    27:37
    We have another two very quick penalties in succession, first Oleg Saprykin is called for slashing and immediately afterwards Martensson replies for SKA for holding
     
    27:22
    Morozov breaking down the right flank makes Salak work with a testing wrister! This game is really hotting up again
     
    25:46
    Goal for SKA! Their pressure is rewarded! PATRICK THORESEN on the crease one times the puck high into the left hand corner and ties this game up! Powerplay goal and it's 1-1! Assists- Roman Cervenka
     
    25:40
    Cervenka! Open on the right he completely misses the open corner of the net!
     
    25:00
    SKA are now back at full strength and for around 01:30 they have a powerplay chance to get back on terms
     
    24:29
    For slashing Frolov has evened up the numbers and for now it's a four on four hockey game
     
    24:07
    Salak with his blocker puts wide a heavy slapshot from the point!
     
    23:41
    The home side just cannot get set up in the attacking zone as SKA defend well and even skate away on a counterattack as Viktor Tikhonov places the puck into Glass's glove
     
    22:25
    Dinar Khafizullin winds up well outside the CSKA zone but it's enough to make Glass freeze for a faceoff
     
    22:00
    CSKA are now back to full strength and as a result of Alexandrov's penalty they will have a three minute long powerplay
     
    21:30
    Rylov from the left hand boards tries to force Salak into covering up but the goalkeeper releases with no pressure on him
     
    20:24
    Kalinin! The loose puck falls to him on the top of the crease but he gets his shot all wrong with the goal gaping! And then Dallman twists and wrists into Glass's body
     
    20:01
    At the end of the first period another scuffle broke out and Prokhorkin has been handed a 2+10 penalty and Yury Alexandrov has been given a 5+20, so we won't see him again today
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the first period-

    Shots (on target)- 16 (9)- 20 (7)
    Faceoffs- 7-7
    Hits- 12-10
    Penalty minutes- 14-16
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:44
    We're now into the final few seconds of an action packed first period
     
    19:13
    Icing is committed by CSKA
     
    18:35
    For SKA Panarin, Chudinov and Ketov have all been sent to the penalty box, and for CSKA Mursak, Fefelov and Misharin have been punished but both sides will continue to have five players on the ice
     
    18:35
    And we have a mass brawl on our hands! Tempers are really raising here as Ketov and Mursak drop the gloves, Maxim Chudinov also gets involved along with many others and the referees have to sort out who will get penalties!
     
    18:35
    Frolov! SKA poorly cough up the puck in the attack, it's a two on one breakaway for CSKA and after Salak pushes the initial effort out Frolov can't stuff the puck home!
     
    17:57
    Goal for CSKA! Nikolay Prohkorkin skates hard to the net, finds IGOR GRIGORENKO on the crease with Salak flat out on the ice and he makes no mistake, powerplay goal and it's 1-0! Assists- Enver Lisin and Nikolay Prokhorkin
     
    16:53
    Alexander Kucheryavenko for slashing has been penalised and CSKA have their second powerplay of the game
     
    15:33
    Roman Cervenka sends in a wrist shot from the right, it's too hot for Glass to handle and he's lucky no one could grab hold of the rebound!
     
    14:43
    The home side are starting to cert their authority as they look to keep the puck in SKA's zone as much as they can
     
    14:02
    CSKA have certainly gained some momentum with that powerplay but Kalinin is now back on the ice for the visitors
     
    12:55
    Filppula! Salak beats his high wrister away and he has to rely on his defenders to clear the danger!
     
    12:27
    Morozov! Prokhorkin dishes him an excellent backhand pass from the left hand boards but Morozov can't control it when in a promising position!
     
    12:02
    The puck rebounds heavily off the boards behind Salak's goal and he has to make a sprawling save to cover! And for interference in that play Kalinin has been sent to the penalty box
     
    10:39
    As Salak blocker side holds on to a low pass into his net from Alexey Morozov the referees just manage to break up a scuffle between Saprykin and Semyonov!
     
    10:15
    CSKA are now back at full strength
     
    09:51
    Glass struggles to control a fairly weak Kovalchuk wrister and he has to be careful not to give up a rebound with bodies surrounding him!
     
    09:12
    Kalinin from the right of the blue line one times it and Glass kicks it away!
     
    08:15
    We have the first penalty of the day and it's against CSKA, Sergey Gimaev has been called for high sticking and the visitors are going on the powerplay
     
    06:31
    Grigorenko! Cutting into the crease his wrist shot with players all around him misses the left hand post with Salak unsighted!
     
    06:01
    From the right faceoff circle Evgeniy Ketov looks to go upstairs on Glass but it flies just over the crossbar!
     
    05:10
    Kablukov! His very dangerous pass into the crease from the left is only just not deflected into the net! CSKA's defence is looking a bit wobbly so far
     
    04:52
    Now Artemiy Panarin shows us what he's made of, for what seems an eternity he carries the puck around the CSKA zone, feeds the open Dmitriy Kalinin who fires into Glass's chest
     
    03:37
    Kovalchuk! SKA's captain shows great skill to trick his way around almost the whole home defence, but his wrist shot is fended away by Jeff Glass!
     
    02:27
    Ilya Kablukov finds Alexey Ponikarovskiy at the left hand post but with a defender snapping away at him he can't get a shot away! Both teams have started energetically
     
    01:53
    A pass in towards Salak's net off a faceoff draw is gathered up comfortably
     
    01:31
    Rylov! Yakov Rylov from the the blue hammers in on Alexander Salak and under pressure the netminder clings on!
     
    00:21
    SKA have the first attack of the game but no one can connect with Tony Martensson's pass across the slot
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now being presented to the expectant crowd and after the Russian national anthem we will be getting underway!
     
    Starting lineups:

    CSKA Moscow: Glass (Biryukov)- Misharin, Zaitsev, Filppula, Saprykin, Morozov- Denisov, Pervyshin, Lisin, Grigorenko, Prokhorkin- Quint, Rylov, Mursak, Fefelov, Frolov- Gimaev, Zharkov, Nepryaev, Lyubimov

    SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ezhov)- Alexandrov, Dallman, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Kalinin, Chudinov, Kovalchuk, Kucheryavenko, Tikhonov- Khafizullin, Semyonov, Panarin, Shipachyov, Ketov- Yudin, Ponikarovskiy, Kablukov, Sigaryov

    Referees: Schenyov, Romasko, Balodis, Dedyulya.
     
    SKA started this series as slight favourites against their fellow Army Men from Moscow, and after the first two games they are now heavily favoured to move on into the second round. The first match was a tight affair that SKA edged 1-0, but the second was a 5-1 blowout victory for the Saint Petersburgers.
     
    SKA finished the regular championship in 2nd place of the Western Conference with 105 points and are as usual many experts' tips to go on and win the Gagarin Cup. CSKA on the other hand had a rather up and down regular season and they could only finish in 7th position of the same conference with 91 points.
     
    We have all waited a long time for the KHL playoffs and we are now already getting towards the business end of the first round matches, with the third games in each series being absolutely vital.
     
    Hello everyone and welcome to this KHL Western Conference quarterfinal playoff match between CSKA Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg. This game could be the crucial one in this series, and we are in for a thriller.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 14:00.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 18. Grigorenko (Lisin, Prokhorkin) – 26. Thoresen (Cervenka), 72. Cervenka (Kalinin, Dallman)

    CSKA Moscow: Glass (Biryukov)- Misharin, Zaitsev, Filppula, Saprykin, Morozov- Denisov, Pervyshin, Lisin, Grigorenko, Prokhorkin- Quint, Rylov, Mursak, Fefelov, Frolov- Gimaev, Zharkov, Nepryaev, Lyubimov
    SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ezhov)- Alexandrov, Dallman, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Kalinin, Chudinov, Kovalchuk, Kucheryavenko, Tikhonov- Khafizullin, Semyonov, Panarin, Shipachyov, Ketov- Yudin, Ponikarovskiy, Kablukov, Sigaryov
    Referees: Schenyov, Romasko, Balodis, Dedyulya
    Attendance: 5500