ZAG 2:3 LEV | Medvescak Zagreb - Lev Praha (KHL)

KHL

Admiral – Metallurg M	4:3 (after OT)	\|	Novosibirsk – Ak Bars	7:1 (end)	\|	Avtomobilist – Barys	1:2 (end)
Lokomotiv – Dynamo	3:2 (after OT)	\|	CSKA – SKA St. Petersburg	4:5 (after OT)	\|	Torpedo – Salavat Yulaev	1:2 (after OT)
Riga – Donbass	1:4 (end)	\|	Medvescak – Lev	2:3 (end)

final

Medvescak Zagreb

2:3 (0:2, 0:0, 2:1)

Lev Praha

Tuesday 11.03.2014, 19:30 • Dom Sportova, Zagreb • KHL

		Thank you for being with us following the KHL today. We have plenty more all the way until the end! Until next time, goodbye! (22:09:25)
		INJURY UPDATE: Jonathan Cheechoo (MED) who left the play after a brutal start from Niko Kapanen hammering him against the boards, reportedly has torn ligamnts, but was able to walk by himself. We hope for a quick recovery.
		Shots on goal: MED 11 (34), LEV 11 (23) Faceoffs: MED 12 (37), LEV 14 (27) Penalties: MED 2 (10), LEV 2 (27) Ice leaders: MED – Mark Popovic – 25:08 LEV – Jiri Sekac – 21:30.
		The crowd is on their feet and the support continues! Everyone is cheering, thanking the team for a miraculous season! Unforgettable, even the players don't believe what's happening before their eyes!
		The game is over, Medvescak's inaugural KHL season is over! Lev deservedly wins the series and sweeps them out 4-0 joining SKA as the second semi-finalist! Nothing more to be said about the game, Lev took their chances, Medvescak didn't and looking at the series overall LEv completely deserved the win.
	60:00	Game over.
	59:41	Foster fires three times now, all wide of the net.
	59:11	Bill Thomas fires from the left, gets blocked on the way.
	58:52	Foster fires from the left, wide. 6-on-4 Medvescak.
	58:49	Martin Sevc (LEV) gets the call for roughing forcing it on Jessiman behind the net.
	58:49	Mark Dekanich leaves the net and Medvescak go with the extra attacker.
	58:30	Medvescak trying to get in, Lev keep them at the blue and clear the puck away.
	58:00	Two minutes left in the period. Final two in Zagreb?
	57:34	Icing Lev. It could have been a hooking penalty on Medvescak now on the previous play in the zone, as they were getting in the slot from the right, though the refs keep their hands down.
	57:12	An offensive mistake by Medvescak in the zone could have led to a break, but the Czechs decide to just dump it and go for a line change.
	56:25	And as a result Calle Riderwall ices it! Everyone in the arena is standing on their feet and try to help Medvescak get another goal and at least overtime.
	56:03	Now Medvescak have nothing to lose and go wild on the attack! Lev forced to play defence and clear pucks.
	55:44	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! MATT ELLISON scores a one-timer from the slot following the feed from the right side, Charles Linglet finds him inside in between two defensemen. Assist: Charles Linglet.
	55:16	Icing against Lev who seem just to want to close the game and finish the series tonight. Nothing serious going on now.
	54:23	Offside on the right, Hugh Jessiman was too quick in.
	54:15	Mark Dekanich with another save from the left on the blue, Martin Sevc took a shot with Justin Azevedo closing in from the slot.
	53:47	Bill Thomas fires from the right side with a difficult angle, Matt Murley waits inside on the other post, though the puck never made it past Vehanen.
	53:20	Ivan Svarny is offside on the left wing as Medvescak are getting in and the play is stopped.
	52:41	Hand pass is the rule after a shot from the right hand side by Medvescak, deflected into the air by Vehanen and then the defence tries to clear it using hands.
	51:50	Following the draw, Lev execute a hard shot from the point, wide to the left and over the bar hits the glass.
	51:42	Kurtis Foster wanted to clear the puck from his zone, but it seems it was blocked though and went out.
	51:26	And yet another icing from Lev.
	51:17	Medvescak try another one from the right, Vehanen is focused and makes the save easily. Jessiman again brawling behind the net, with Ondrej Nemec this time.
	51:06	After mini-pressure from Medvescak, but only one shot, Lev clear the zone for icing.
	50:14	One-on-one opportunity for Medvescak after a visionary leading pass over open ice for Charles Linglet, but he can't deke Vehanen out of balance, and he makes a left pad save.
	50:05	Medvescak take courage and go down the ice, dump it in and get called for icing.
	49:46	Neither team can get on offense now, as most play is within the neutral zone.
	48:33	Medvescak try to answer as quickly firing from close range closing down on the right, Vehanen deflects the puck aside to the right.
	47:51	Goal for Lev! And the immediate answer from the Czech side! DAVID ULLSTROM jumps into the zone over the middle and just upon entering fires a hard wrister lifting it up into the upper left corner and beats Dekanich who is helpless. Assist: Petr Vrana.
	46:25	Goal for Medvescak Zagreb! Medvescak cuts the lead to half and it's through their captain ALAN LETANG who seems to dump the puck in from the neutral zone, lifts it up high, it falls down just before Vehanen and drives through the five-hole in. Assist: Boyd Kane.
	45:54	Medvescak is playing at full strength.
	45:39	Ondrej Nemec gets the pass back from the right wing to the point for Martin Sevc, but he gets his shot blocked and cleared.
	44:48	Nathan Oystrick takes a shot from the right outside the slot and the circle, he managed to find a gap, Dekanich deflects and then covers with help from defense.
	43:54	Boyd Kane (MED) gets the call for slashing.
	43:33	Svarny fires from the blue, blocked and then Lev go on the counter, they enter on the right and then tighten up into the slot, the shot comes out wide to the right bouncing off Dekanich.
	43:16	Lev takes over, goes on the offense, dumps in and takes a line change.
	42:41	Medvescak keep possession by the left boards and the pass backward to Martinovic slips out, though they keep possession and dump it back in.
	42:22	Another icing from Lev.
	41:19	Another shot, this time from the right, at the perimeter, it's low and Dekanich makes the pad save aside to the right.
	41:11	Mark Dekanich makes his first save of the period following a shot from the left wing.
	40:49	Following the draw Medvescak put another puck on the net from the right, again Vehanen gets to deflect aside.
	40:41	As Lev clear from their zone, icing is called.
	40:25	Petri Vehanen put to a test right at the start from the blue line, makes the chest save and holds on.
		With sounds of "You'll never walk alone" starts the third period tonight, might be the last for Medvescak this season. It's now or never for them!
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		While we wait for the third period to start let's just mention that CSKA finished their season today with a 4:5 OT loss in Moscow and were swept 4-0 in the series by SKA who become the first semi-finalist of this season's playoffs.
		Third period coming up at 21:14 CET, 00:14 MSK, 16:14 EDT.
		Shots on goal: MED 10 (23), LEV 7 (12) Faceoffs: MED 13 (25), LEV 6 (13) Penalties: MED 6 (8), LEV 29 (35) *Niko Kapanen (5 + GM).
		40 minutes are behind us, the result hasn't changed, Lev still up ahead 2:0. Medvescak had another huge opportunity having a powerplay of 5 minutes, but could not capitalize either, like in the first period when they had 5-on-3. Niko Kapanen was ejected from the game after hammering Cheechoo against the boards from the back which brought to the 5-min powerplay and Cheechoo left play following the check.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:00	Lev dump it over the right, bounces off the boards towards Dekanich, but he covers before anyone could have gotten to it. One minute to go.
	38:52	Exchanging possession with no one really getting shots, the game is end-to-end.
	37:53	Lev is back at full strength after a 5-min powerplay.
	37:23	A lot has happened in front of Vehanen now, including him as well and a fight between Hugh Jessiman (MED) and Ryan O'Byrne (LEV) who both get penalties for roughing. It won't affect the player count on the ice, though.
	36:36	A nice pass along the blue on the right, Foster with another shot that gets blocked and flips into the air, falls down into the slot, Medvescak get it again on the left will Ellison, he drives to the slot and passes it to the right post where Micheal Ryan awaits but can't put it behind Vehanen.
	35:54	2:00 left on the powerplay, Medvescak are not getting near to the number of shots they should have on Vehanen, but do keep possession. Lev looking good on the powerplay, Vehanen pulls of another save from the blue line.
	34:37	Foster fires from the right circle, Vehanen can't handle it, only deflects into the crease, the puck is alive but on the left post the defense takes over and clears the danger away.
	34:25	The net comes loose after Hugh Jessiman gets pushed in from the slot, so the play will continue with a faceoff.
	33:58	Right off the draw Foster fires a blast from the blue, wide to the right.
	33:44	Medvescak keep possession in the zone and pass around, Charles Linglet gets a shot from the circle on the right, Vehanen makes the chest save and holds on.
	32:53	Niko Kapanen (LEV) hammers Jonathan Cheechoo against the boards from the back, it looks nasty and Cheechoo leaves the rink with help from the medical staff. Kapanen receives 5 min + GM, Lukas Cingel serves the penalty in the box, Medvescak have 5 min powerplay.
	32:42	Patrick Zackrisson with possession behind the net and centers to the right in the slot with a backdoor pass, the one-timer from Lev gets denied by Dekanich.
	32:28	Offside called just as Lev jumped in through the middle. Commercial break.
	31:56	Vehanen has to react as Medvescak close up from the right edge of the high slot, deflected wide to the right.
	31:22	Medvescak in the zone on the right, the feed sent to the middle can't get through traffic of sticks and legs.
	31:01	Icing Medvescak on the right wing.
	30:19	Matt Ellison gets the puck, leads the attack over the middle, skates in and stretches to the right wing, fires one up, but gets denied by Petri Vehanen.
	29:18	After Lev closed up on the net from the slot, Jonathan Cheechoo could have led a break with another forward joining, though he lost possession at Lev's blue.
	28:34	Medvescak is back at full strength.
	28:05	Boyd Kane (MED) – 2 min for roughing. Niko Kapanen (LEV) – 2 min for diving. The play continues 5-on-4.
	27:54	It could have been dangerous on the other side, Bill Thomas chased the puck all whe way to the other end, waited for Vehanen to make a passing mistake behind the net, took over and went to the slot from the right firing a backhander, Vehanen deflects wide.
	27:19	After another establishment in the zone, the puck is passed back to Mikko Maenpaa but he comits a mistake on the blue line and lets the puck slip away.
	26:45	Lev establish an offense, fire from the right side on the blue, blocked and cleared.
		Nakladal did got up and skated to the bench, so he should be alright.
	26:34	Jakub Nakladal is down on the ice, he seems in pain and the medic will come out on the ice. It was Jonathan Cheechoo (MED) chasing the puck against Nakladal and hit him with his knee, so he'll get called for kneeing.
	25:42	Dekanich covers the puck and holds on for the whistle, Lev coming in hard through hte middle, Petr Vrana can't deke out Martinovic and then we have some pushing and shoving, but soon the players calm down. We've seen a lot of it during this series.
	25:02	The feed comes in from the left towards the crease, Popovic gets obstructed in the slot and the net comes loose.
		It's hard to even hear my own thoughts how loud the arena has turned, the fans cheering on their team!
	24:47	Another shot stopped from the slot deflected into the netting.
	24:04	Glumac tries to take the puck in, loses possession on the right but the puck gets to Cheechoo on the other side, he loses possession, Lev break through the middle, get covered good and Dekanich makes the save from the slot.
	23:38	Erik Nystrom takes a shot from the right sideboards after a pass from Ivan Svarny who took over from Vehanen behind the net, the shot is blocked and into the netting.
	22:57	The hosts in from the left, fire with severe angle lined with the goal line, the puck misses the net and hits the sideboards.
	22:19	A four-men scramble in the right corner behind Dekanich ends up in Lev getting initial possession but from the blue hand it over. Medvescak struggle to take the puck out.
	21:26	Right off it they clear the zone and Popovic has to restart from behind Dekanich.
	21:17	Icing Lev, the draw back deep before Vehanen.
	20:49	Medvescak with possession opening the second, a shot on Vehanen from the left outside the circle, hits him straight and is wide to the right.
	20:09	Immediately a dump in by Medvescak, Vehanen gets his glove on it and lets the defence take care of the puck.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		The players are back on the ice, the second period will start within a few moments.
		We'll be back at around 20:23 CET, 23:23 MSK, 15:23 EDT.
		Shots on goal: MED 13, LEV 5 Faceoffs: MED 12, LEV 7 Penalties: MED 2, LEV 6 Powerplay: MED 0/3, LEV 1/1 *Medvescak couldn't capitalize on 5-on-3.
		The first twenty minutes are behind us, Lev again stuns Medvescak in the first, having more of the play and scoring on two opportunities. Also, defending with 3 versus 5, must have had an effect on both teams – bad for Medvescak and great for Lev. They have the lead, they have the momentum, all they need is to keep the tempo. Medvescak seem to have run out of fuel and if they want the win and legthen the series, it will take a lot of work and minimum mistakes throughout the next 40 minutes.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:39	Medvescak go for a wrap-around, Michael Glumac comes from the left side and exits on the right taking a shot on Vehanen after a defensive mistake and Vehanen's uncertainty about leaving the net, but he manages to deflect the puck from close range.
	19:00	One minute left in the first period.
	18:51	Medvescak couldn't capitalize on the two-men powerplay, Lev is back to full strength.
	18:35	Single powerplay, Sevc is back onto the ice.
	18:29	Lev manage to clear and will get one player back.
	18:05	Vesce again with the puck, feeds for Foster and he fires another one-timer, this time closer to the net from slightly to the left, blocked again.
	17:23	Medvescak establish the offense, Kurtis Foster fires a one-timer from the perimeter, blocked on the way and Vesce tries from the left circle, Petri Vehanen deflects into the glass.
	16:51	5-on-3 coming up for Medvescak, Topi Jaakola (LEV) is out with hooking.
	16:45	Matt Ellison fires from the blue, Vehanen deflects to the left.
	16:35	Medvescak will now go on the powerplay again, Martin Sevc (LEV) gets called for hooking on Mike Glumac in the slot.
	15:55	Goal for Lev! Not too long into the powerplay, it's Lev in front 2:0. A pass from the blue on the right lined with the blue line gets to MIKKO MAENPAA who fires a slapper with some time being uncovered from outside, hits the post and the puck deflects in. Assists: Nathan Oystrick, Martin Thornberg.
	15:30	Charles Linglet (MED) gets to spend the next two minutes in the box for high-sticking on the previous play.
	15:30	Offside Lev entering on the left. The fans are whistling, they're feeling the previous check on Cheechoo should have been a penalty when he was obstructed in the Lev zone and as a result got a spin and fell onto the ice.
	14:25	Medvescak again, when it's five aside, can't get much possession as Lev are having more of the play, but solid defence from Medvescak keeps them at bay.
	12:49	Lev is back at full strength and just as Repik was skating back onto the ice Medvescak had an opportunity from the right post, but the puck was sent wide to the left. Extremely quick hockey here in Zagreb.
	12:02	Unbeliveable saves by Vehanen now as the puck finds itself in the slot, just outside the crease, Vehanen is down on the ice, but makes another save to keep the net intact.
	11:10	After a shot by Kurtis Foster from the point, which looked more like a feed to the left post, Vehanen makes two saves from close range as Medvescak are unable to put the puck into the net.
	10:49	Michal Repik (LEV) gets two minutes in the penalty box for roughing and we'll have the first commercial break today.
	10:31	Jonathan Cheechoo, a 2nd liner today, gets into the zone and dekes the defense from the left into the slot, fires from the middle of the slot but sees the puck wide to the left.
	09:43	Puck dumped by Lev on the right, Ullstrom and Popovic battling for it, Lev come out victorious before the puck slips out. They still retain possession.
	08:54	Lev back in the zone and dominant passing around the slot looking for space to shoot, Medvescak manage to intercept a pass.
	08:09	Another icing Lev, this time dumping the puck from the neutral.
	07:59	Medvescak lose possesion of the puck at the endboards behind Lev's net, the visitors will regroup from deep back.
	07:34	Another clearance from Lev, no icing this time, Dekanich plays the puck.
	07:09	Medvescak look shocked and will have to bounce off quickly as Lev continue to put pressure, but the game goes end-to-end. Icing Lev.
	05:49	Goal for Lev! The Czechs have started early! Jakub Nakladal from the right side at the blue fires a slapper, Lukas Cingel deflects on the right post and Dekanich loses balance, before he could retrieve to the left side JAKUB MATAI scores on the other post waiting just in the right place. Assists: Lukas Cingel, Jakub Nakladal.
	05:33	Lukas Cingel tries a shot from far right, Dekanich makes the save and holds on to freeze the play.
	05:24	Great high forecheck by Medvescak lately, not allowing Lev cross the blue.
	04:47	Jonathan Cheechoo strikes from the slot directly into Vehanen with a low shot aiming for the five-hole as Medvescak do wake up and finally go down the ice.
	04:17	The puck is just wide of Vehanen's net from the right coming into the slot, it was a feed to the middle, but the onskating forward was well marked.
	03:36	Medvescak finally get some possession on the right, dump it in along the boards, Ellison can't get to it on the left sideboards.
	03:06	Lev are out of the zone but it's only Riderwall keeping possession and waiting for team mates to set up.
	02:28	The puck is cleared again by Medvescak, Jakub Nakladal gets to it and the Czechs restart. Medvescak can't get control over the puck.
	02:02	After all-Lev possession, Medvescak take over and send a lead pass to the other end, but it's too quick for Charles Linglet and it's icing.
	01:05	Lev enter the zone with a slow dump, get it at the endboards but then Kurtis Foster deals with it and hook checks Petr Vrana.
	00:34	The first shot of the game goes to Lev from the left on the blueline, Dekanich is focused and calm.
	00:07	Right off the opening faceoff Medvescak go offside on the left and the faceoff comes back to the neutral zone.
	00:01	Game started.
		The opening faceoff will be dropped by the Russian legend Pavel Bure!
		Lev are already onto the ice, Medvescak are about to hit the ice right now! Afterwards "Kde domov můj" and "Lijepa naša", the national anthems of the Czech Republic and Croatia will be intonated prior to the opening faceoff.
		The teams are being announced, the arena is almost full as fans gather to help their team win for the first time in the KHL playoffs.
		Starting lineups: Medvescak Zagreb: Dekanich (Brust) – Popovic, Thomas, Murley, Martinovic, Ellison – Linglet, Svarny, Cheechoo, Vesce, Foster – Glumac, Ryan, Jessiman, Letang, Katic – O'Connor, Nyström, Murray, Kane, Bjorkstrand Lev Praha: Vehanen (Engren) – Maenpaa, Novotny, Azevedo, Ullstrom, Sevc – Vrana, Nemec, Sekac, Thornberg, Oystrick – Jaakola, Zackrisson, O'Byrne, Repik, Kapanen – Gragnani, Ridderwall, Cingel, Nakladal, Matai Referees: Olenin, Kadyrov – Shelyanin, Sivov.
		Series (Lev lead 3-0): Lev – Medvescak 4:3 (07/03/2014) Lev – Medvescak 5:2 (08/03/2014) Medvescak – Lev 2:5 (10/03/2014) Game-winners: G1 – Martin Thornberg – 45th min G2 – Martin Thornberg – 50th min G3 – David Ullstrom – 50th min.
		Lev Praha Lev proved like difficult and tough opponent, not only for Medvescak but also the rest of the league. Their seed #3 finish calls for respect going into a clash with them. During this series they have been breaking Medvescak in the third period after Medvescak tend to lose on concentration and the Czechs keep their head cool and stay disciplined in the defence. Best players: (playoffs) Martin Thornberg (F) – 5 points (4+1) – leads KHL Justin Azevedo (F) – 3 points (2+1) Jiri Sekac (F) – 3 points (0+3).
		Medvescak Zagreb The hosts tonight will have to win. If they can't, they're out of competition and the season is over for them. After finishing 6th in the West and getting into the playoffs in their debut season, they've reached their goal for this season. Anything else comes as a bonus, though it'd be nice not to be swept in the first round and at least get a playoff win. Best players: (playoffs) Charles Linglet (F) – 3 points (0+3) Matt Ellison (F) – 3 points (2+0) Matt Murley (F) – 3 points (1+1).
		Warm welcome everyone to another hockey-filled afternoon. Some surprises today again in the East, the games in the West are currently under-way and we'll finish the day with this one – Medvescak Zagreb and Lev Praha. The Czechs currently lead series 3-0 and could finish their opponent off with another win today.
		Welcome. Game starts at 19:30.

Commentary by

Alan Ilijic

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 47. Letang (Kane), 56. Ellison (Linglet) – 6. Matai (Cingel, Nakladal), 16. Maenpaa (Oystrick, Thornberg), 48. Ullstrom (Vrana)

Medvescak Zagreb: Dekanich (Brust) – Popovic, Thomas, Murley, Martinovic, Ellison – Linglet, Svarny, Cheechoo, Vesce, Foster – Glumac, Ryan, Jessiman, Letang, Katic – O'Connor, Nyström, Murray, Kane, Bjorkstrand

Lev Praha: Vehanen (Engren) – Maenpaa, Novotny, Azevedo, Ullstrom, Sevc – Vrana, Nemec, Sekac, Thornberg, Oystrick – Jaakola, Zackrisson, O'Byrne, Repik, Kapanen – Gragnani, Ridderwall, Cingel, Nakladal, Matai

Referees: Olenin, Kadyrov – Shelyanin, Sivov

1st period
	05:49
	10:49
	15:30
	15:55
	16:35
	16:51
1st intermission
2nd period
	26:34
	28:05
	32:53
	37:23
2nd intermission
3rd period
	43:54
	46:25
	47:51
	55:44
	58:49
Final