PET 5:2 MIN | SKA St. Petersburg - HC Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

KHL

Avangard – Vityaz

8:5 (end)

SKA St. Petersburg – Dinamo Minsk

5:2 (end)

final

SKA St. Petersburg Rusko

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

HC Dinamo Minsk

Monday 08.09.2014, 17:30 • Ice Palace of Saint Petersburg • KHL

		There indeed is the final buzzer, and in a real thriller SKA Saint Petersburg have seen off Dinamo Minsk 5:2 for their third win out of three! Despite the scoreline SKA really had to work for the victory today, and they have Alexander Salak to thank for some wonderful saves! Tony Martensson, Dmitriy Kalinin, Evgeniy Ketov and Ilya Kovalchuk with a double all found the net for the home side, while Artur Gavrus and Dmitriy Meleshko got Dinamo's replies. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more enthralling KHL action! (19:54:56)
	60:00	Game over.
		It really has turned in an epic battle, and SKA are indeed heading for their third win in a row 5:2 over Dinamo Minsk!
	59:38	Goal for SKA! It's the second empty net goal for the hosts as they most certainly seal all the points now! Now to the right of the neutral zone ILYA KOVALCHUK with ease slides the puck into the net! It's 5:2! Assists- Viktor Tikhonov
	58:51	It's a five on five hockey game again as Jimmie Ericsson of SKA returns to the action, but Dinamo's net is still empty! And Alexander Salak is simply working miracles in the SKA net, he has been their real hero today!
	58:23	Goal for SKA! That might just seal it for SKA! What a dramatic ending here, what a game! Shorthanded EVGENIY KETOV takes the puck out to the left, and just inside Dinamo's zone he hits the empty net! Shorthanded goal and it's 4:2! Assists- Vadim Shipachyov
	58:14	What drama here! Dinamo are keeping the puck excellently inside SKA's zone, but Jonathan Cheechoo's backhander from the doorstep is acrobatically stopped by Alexander Salak!
	57:11	With just under three minutes left Dmitriy Milchakov has already been pulled for the extra skater!
	56:51	And a timeout has already been taken out by Dinamo, they know that this is the deciding moment of the game!
	56:51	SKA have given a very untimely powerplay away here! Jimmie Ericsson for slashing has been punished giving Dinamo extra hope of a comeback!
	56:30	Alexander Salak comes flying out of his net to sweep away the loose puck, and he gets lucky as he smacks it right against one of his teammates!
	54:39	Ilya Kablukov holds the puck back on the right faceoff circle, splays it across to Igor Makarov but the latter has it poked away from him! SKA are going to having more opportunities to kill the game on the counterattack now!
	54:05	Dinamo move offside and give SKA a very well needed breather. The visitors are doing everything that they can to get back in to it, but so far Alexander Salak is just too strong!
	51:55	Cheechoo! Dinamo are seriously going for it now! Now to the left Jonathan Cheechoo with the goalkeeper already down has a practically empty net to aim at from point blank range, but somehow he fails to hit the target!
	51:12	Jonathan Cheechoo cuts all the way around the net to the left, lifts the puck delicately looking for the far post but it drifts just wide!
	49:05	Both teams exchange chances as the SKA netminder is having to really work hard now, and then Viktor Tikhonov goes on a tricky raid from deep, shows amazing skill darting around his opponent but he can't get a clean attempt away!
	48:01	Kulakov! What a chance for Dinamo to again draw level! Alexander Kulakov has only Alexander Salak to beat at the left of the slot, but he's denied by an excellent save! He looked sure to score!
	47:13	Martensson! Tony Martensson is fed speeding down the middle of the zone, he beats his defender for pace but he's stripped of the puck at the vital moment!
	45:32	Dinamo are back at full strength having killed that penalty effectively! SKA are putting the pressure on very heavily, but they're not always being able to hold the puck in the zone successfully
	44:40	Kalinin! Dmitriy Kalinin is teed up at the left faceoff circle, but his monstrous slapper smashes wide of the far post!
	43:32	SKA now have their first powerplay of the day coming up as Paul Szczechura of Dinamo has been pulled to the penalty box for slashing! They will want to try and get a much more comfortable advantage for themselves!
	42:11	Just after Alexander Salak had to make a brilliant double save from point blank range SKA are back to full strength having survived that scare! Defensively the hosts are looking vulnerable at times!
	41:44	Jonathan Cheechoo has room for himself on an awkward angle on the left, chucks the puck across the face of goal but it gets deflected not far wide at all!
	40:31	Kalyuzhniy! Instead of shooting himself when all alone on the slot Alexey Kalyuzhniy plays it to the left hand post, but his teammate isn't ready! He should really have fired himself!
	40:11	As soon as the stanza has got underway Dinamo have earnt a very handy powerplay for themselves! SKA's Dmitriy Kalinin has been penalised for high sticking
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods: Shots: 39-36 Shots on target: 22-26 Faceoffs: 20-21 Hits: 18-16 Penalty minutes: 12-0
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:33	We're now already into the final seconds of the second stanza as Viktor Tikhonov with a raising and powerful wrist shot tests the goalkeeper's reactions who freezes second time!
	38:01	This is turning into another thrilling encounter, and SKA are looking even more and more fired up! Dinamo protested that their netmnder was impeded during that play, but their calls fell on deaf ears!
	37:36	Goal for SKA! Just like that SKA are back in front, what a reaction from the Saint Petersburgers! A mad goalmouth scramble erupts, Dmitriy Milchakov can't find the puck under pressure and ILYA KOVALCHUK pokes it in! It's 3:2! Assists- Dinar Khafizullin and Jimmie Ericsson
	35:52	Goal for Dinamo Minsk! Out of nothing suddenly the Belorussians are back on terms! Just past the left faceoff circle DMITRIY MELESHKO takes aim, and near post it simply catches out Alexander Salak! It's 2:2! Assists- Alexander Kulakov
	34:06	At the other end Viktor Tikhonov at the high slot attempts to catch Dmitriy Milchakov out, but the Dinamo goalkeeper is on his game and fields it solidly!
	34:01	Razvadovskiy! Pavel Razvadovskiy winds up coming off the right hand boards, but he's denied by the tip of the netminder's skate! That was incredibly close to rolling over the line!
	32:24	Roman Cervenka on the right faceoff circle flashes it over to the far post, but no one can connect! SKA are starting to play some beautiful and truly powerful hockey now!
	31:11	Evgeniy Dadonov feeds the open Vadim Shipachyov on the doorstep with an intelligent pass from behind the net on the left, but somehow the puck is whacked over the bar! Vadim Shipachyov just had to hit the target there!
	30:24	On a cutting incisive counterattack down the left flank Jimmie Ericsson and Ilya Kovalchuk play a cute one two together, but the latter's sliding effort is brilliantly saved by Dmitriy Milchakov who's already on his back!
	30:00	Young SKA defenceman Andrey Ermakov takes on an early wrister from the high slot, the goalkeeper can't hold on to it but before anyone can get to the rebound he covers it up!
	29:33	Nick Bailen has his second slapper in a matter of minutes, it's at a very awkward height for Alexander Salak but the goaltender sweeps it up into his glove expertly!
	28:50	Artemiy Panarin spinning all around at a tight angle on the left eventually manages to whip the puck across goal, Vadim Shipachyov gets something on it but it's not strong enough to beat Dmitriy Milchakov!
	27:48	Bailen! The chances are coming much more often now! With traffic in front of him Nick Bailen goes for a piledriver, and at the second attempt Alexander Salak dives on it!
	25:57	Khafizullin! As Dmitriy Milchakov pushes out a dump from the boards on the right Dinar Khafizullin takes up the rebound, but he can't get the puck out from under his stick! That was a very presentable opportunity to extend the home side's lead!
	24:36	Cervenka! Roman Cervenka between the circles is found open, but first time the Czech hammers the puck wide of the left hand post! The netminder would have struggled with that one!
	23:34	Matt Ellison for Dinamo looks to cause the hosts problems though, but after finding room to the left of the slot he wrists wide of the far post
	22:55	Alexander Salak fields a dump from deep into his crease and doesn't take any chances with freezing. SKA look really fired up at the start of the stanza, and it looks as though they have had a good talking to during the break!
	20:50	Goal for SKA! What a fantastic start to the period from SKA, that's just what they needed! Evgeniy Dadonov from the right faceoff circle finds DMITRIY KALININ with a beautiful pass at the far post, and the latter slides the puck into the net! It's 2:1! Assists- Vadim Shipachyov and Evgeniy Dadonov
	20:11	The second period is go! Dinamo's tactics have been working excellently, while SKA need to up their game slightly!
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the opening period of play: Shots: 15-19 Shots on target: 8-12 Faceoffs: 11-10 Hits: 8-9 Penalty minutes: 12-0
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:56	We're now into the final seconds of a fast paced first period!
	19:09	Ericsson! Directly between the circles Jimmie Ericsson slaps as hard as he can, but it flies inches wide of the right hand post! That was hit with true power!
	18:17	Alexey Semenov absolutely blasts the puck from the point, but it smacks the Dinamo netminder's chest and drifts out of play!
	17:43	Dinamo now look full of confidence as they start to really take the initiative! Their opponents though will be disappointed to having conceded with only three seconds left on that particular penalty kill
	15:59	Goal for Dinamo Minsk! Dinamo have indeed got back into things and made it a tied game! Alexander Salak didn't quite know what was going on after the puck smacked his mask, and free on the right faceoff circle ARTUR GAVRUS thrashes it over the line! Powerplay goal and it's 1:1! Assists- Alexey Kalyuzhniy
	15:19	Lukas Krajicek looks to catch out the SKA netminder with a rising wrister from the blue line, but Alexander Salak is alert and catches comfortably
	14:02	We have the first penalty of the game and it's against SKA, Yevgeni Ryasensky for checking to the head has received a 2+10 penalty and it's an ideal chance for Dinamo to get back into things!
	13:44	Tikhonov! What a move from SKA's number 10! Beautifully beating his opponent to the right of the crease Viktor Tikhonov has only the goalkeeper to beat, but the puck just trickles away from him at the crucial moment!
	13:08	Igor Makarov also shows a good turn of pace sprinting into the attacking zone from deep, he slaps the puck as hard as he can but it's right down Dmitriy Milchakov's throat
	12:41	Charles Linglet speeds down the right, cuts in sharply fooling his defender, but his pacy wrister gets deflected out of danger
	12:23	Dinamo Minsk will certainly find it hard playing catch up today! SKA look in really fantastic shape, but defensively there are mistakes to be found!
	10:23	Goal for SKA! Their attack has been red hot so far this season and SKA take an early lead! Patrick Thoresen with a cute pass from behind the net finds TONY MARTENSSON open at the right hand post, and the latter slides the puck into the net! It's 1:0! Assists- Roman Cervenka and Patrick Thoresen
	09:45	Anton Belov takes on a low powerful slapper from distance, and Dmitriy Milchakov with his right pad kicks the puck high up and out of play! He had to be alert there to stretch far enough!
	09:05	A testing effort comes in from the point, and Alexander Salak crouched down makes a confident save blocker side. Neither goalkeeper has had a lot to do so far, but the pace certainly is high!
	06:18	Patrick Thoresen spins with the puck on the doorstep, but from point blank range he can't get enough power on his shot to beat the netminder! That was a clear opening!
	04:00	Dinamo now have their first chance of the day, but just to the left of the crease the puck is thrashed wide of the far post! Alexander Salak might have struggled with that!
	02:07	Chudinov! Maxim Chudinov on the left faceoff circle slaps in, and on the rebound Tony Martensson just can't make a shooting opportunity for himself!
	00:41	Alexander Salak fields a low play chucked across the slot from the left flank and doesn't take any chances with freezing. You can expect Dinamo to base their game on counterattacks today while soaking up pressure
	00:30	We're underway here inside the Saint Petersburg Ice Palace! SKA will be looking to make it three out of three today!
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are now out on to the ice, and after the Belorussian and Russian national anthems we'll be getting underway!
		Starting lineups: SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Yudin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Tikhonov- Khafizullin, Ryasensky, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Semenov, Ermakov, Makarov, Kablukov, Ketov HC Dinamo Minsk: Milchakov (Haugen)- Nogachyov, Shinkevich, Lisovets, Krajicek, Bailen, Goroshko- Linglet, Ellison, Kulakov, Drozd, Vesce, Kalyuzhniy, Cheechoo, Meleshko, Szczechura, Razvadovskiy, Pavlovich, Volkov, Gavrus Referees: Eduard Ozolins, Ildar Safiullov, Roman Menshih, Ivan Sazonov.
		SKA are always one of the main favourites for lifting the Gagarin Cup, but their challenge came to a halt rather early on last season, falling in the Western Conference semi finals to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Their opponents today Dinamo Minsk didn't reach the playoffs last term, but new signings over the summer have created Belorussian optimism.
		This will be the second match of the season for both teams, with SKA currently with a maximum haul of six points and Dinamo with three. SKA saw off Lokomotiv 5:3 in their opener before then getting the better of league debutants HC Sochi 3:2, whereas Dinamo Minsk beat KHL newbies Jokerit 5:4 and then lost to Dinamo Riga 2:4. Everyone has long been waiting for the KHL to get going again, and it sure has been a thrilling start to the campaign!
		Good afternoon and welcome to this KHL regular season match between SKA Saint Petersburg and Dinamo Minsk. The home side will be expecting to collect all three points today, but Dinamo have what it takes to cause a real upset.
		Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 11. Martensson (Cervenka, Thoresen), 21. Kalinin (Shipachyov, Dadonov), 38. Kovalchuk (Khafizullin, Ericsson), 59. Ketov (Shipachyov), 60. Kovalchuk (Tikhonov) – 16. Gavrus (Kalyuzhniy), 36. Meleshko (Kulakov)

SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Yudin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Tikhonov- Khafizullin, Ryasensky, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Semenov, Ermakov, Makarov, Kablukov, Ketov

HC Dinamo Minsk: Milchakov (Haugen)- Nogachyov, Shinkevich, Lisovets, Krajicek, Bailen, Goroshko- Linglet, Ellison, Kulakov, Drozd, Vesce, Kalyuzhniy, Cheechoo, Meleshko, Szczechura, Razvadovskiy, Pavlovich, Volkov, Gavrus

Referees: Eduard Ozolins, Ildar Safiullov, Roman Menshih, Ivan Sazonov

Attendance: 11011

1st period
	10:23
	14:02
	15:59
1st intermission
2nd period
	20:50
	35:52
	37:36
2nd intermission
3rd period
	40:11
	43:32
	56:51
	58:23
	59:38
Final