CHA 0:2 UFA | Amur Khabarovsk - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

KHL

Khabarovsk – Salavat Yulaev

0:2 (end)

final

Amur Khabarovsk

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

Salavat Yulaev Ufa

Sunday 14.09.2014, 08:00 • Platinum Arena • KHL

		Welcome. Game starts at 08:00.
		It's a very early good morning and welcome to this KHL regular season match between Amur Khabarovsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Both teams have had a solid start to the season, and Amur at home will be looking to assert their authority.
		It's the fifth game of the new KHL season for both Amur and Salavat, but they've already met once. Just a few days ago in Ufa these two played out a thrilling encounter, in which Amur came out on top 5:3. The home side will be looking for a repeat today, while Salavat will be looking to improve slightly having won two and lost two of their first four matches. Interestingly enough Amur have exactly the same record.
		Amur failed to make the KHL playoffs last season, but a total club revamp including a new logo and completely new kit have given the feeling that this year they're here to do business. Salavat on the other hand reached the Eastern Conference final last year, and they are always there or thereabouts.
		Starting lineups: Amur Khabarovsk: Borisov (Bolshakov)- Safronov, Taimi, Yunkov, Spirko, Tarasov- Peretyagin, Ezhov, Niinmaki, Miklik, Hascak- Kurbatov, Teryaev, Fisenko, Lugin, Katsuba- Dekalo, Tereschenko, Bashkirov, Litovchenko, Zheleznov Salavat Yulaev Ufa: Sokhatskiy (Koval)- Bodrov, Kutuzov, Tolpeko, Makarov, Hartikainen- Vishnevskiy, Heikkinen, Skorokhodov, Pankov, Syomin- Zubarev, Koltsov, Pihlstrom, Kaygorodov, Skachkov- Lekomtsev, Stepanov, Glukhov, Slepyshev Referees: Yakov Deev, Alexey Ravodin, Andrey Matyusha, Evgeniy Petrov.
		The teams are now being presented to the expectant crowd, and after the anthem of the Russian Federation it's time to get underway!
	00:01	Game started.
	00:11	We're underway inside the Platinum Arena! Amur will be hoping to repeat their success of a few days ago!
	00:14	And immediately we already have our first penalty, as Denis Bodrov of Salavat has been penalised for an early slashing call!
	01:07	Pihlstrom! Shorthanded Salavat could and should have made a very quick breakthrough! Charging through one on one Antti Pihlstrom takes aim from between the circles, but netminder Sergey Borisov fends it off!
	02:14	The visitors looked solid killing that penalty themselves, and are back at full strength having come very close to scoring
	03:43	It's a three on two for Salavat now, Dmitriy Makarov is fed lurking on the left faceoff circle but his wrister into the near post is beaten away by the goalkeeper! Salavat's counterattacks are looking dangerous!
	04:43	Dmitriy Lugin breaking away for Amur down the middle takes on the shot from distance, but it lacks any real pace and Vladimir Sokhatskiy comfortably sweeps it up
	05:52	Tommi Taimi drifts out to the left, attempts a heavy slapper looking to catch Vladimir Sokhatskiy out but it gets deflected up and out of play
	06:18	From pinned up against the right hand boards the puck is whacked across Amur's crease, but Denis Tolpeko is bullied off it when shaping to shoot! That could have been a big opportunity!
	07:44	Dmitriy Lugin forcing his his way down behind the net after finding room down the left backhands it into the danger zone, but from point blank range Mikhail Fisenko is denied by the goalkeeper! That's the best chance of note so far!
	08:24	Amur are just starting to up the pressure slightly and they've earned themselves a second powerplay already, Salavat forward Dmitriy Syomn has been handed a two minute minor for hooking
	10:18	Tommi Taimi slaps in from distance looking for someone to make a telling deflection, but it sails all the way through and past the right hand post!
	10:26	As soon as Salavat come back to full strength they have their second one on one opportunity of the game already! Dmitriy Syomin charging out of the penalty box is fed, but Sergey Borisov makes an excellent save sitting down to shut the door!
	11:55	Sergey Peretyagin just outside Salavat's zone tests the reactions of the goalkeeper with a powerful slapshot, but that's too far out to cause any problems
	13:08	Being teed up at the blue line Andrey Zubarev goes for a piledriver, but traffic in front of him manage to block it at source
	13:48	Amur have now received their first penalty of the game, as forward Alexander Yunkov has been found guilty of tripping against his opponent
	14:21	Skachkov! Neat and patient build up play is finished off by Evgeniy Skachkov who fires from directly on the right faceoff circle, but it's straight down the netminder's throat!
	15:02	Sergey Borisov pushes a slapshot from between the circles right out on front of him, but Ivan Vishnevskiy with practically an empty net to aim somehow can't score on the rebound! Home defenders did brilliantly to force him wide!
	15:48	Amur have survived that particular scare and they're back at full strength again
	16:53	Slepyshev! Anton Slepyshev bursts down the right flank showing a tricky turn of pace, but his effort looking for the near corner is taken solidly by the goalkeeper!
	18:01	Jesse Niinimaki suddenly finds himself on a two on one closing down on Salavat's crease on the left, but when looking to cut inside he's stripped of the puck at the crucial moment!
	19:46	It's already now the final seconds of a goalless but entertaining first period!
	20:00	1st period finished.
		Statistics after the opening period of play: Shots: 16-15 Shots on target: 9-12 Faceoffs: 6-13 Hits: 3-3 Penalty minutes: 2-4
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
	20:11	Here we go! It's been a very even game so far, and it will be interesting to see who will have the initiative now!
	20:13	Rastislav Spirko skates into the Salavat zone right down the middle, takes on a wrister early but that isn't going to trouble Vladimir Sokhatskiy
	21:23	Evgeniy Skachkov is picked out with a clever backhand pass on the right faceoff circle, he wrists with pace looking for the far corner but it drifts off target!
	21:31	Salavat have an early powerplay for themselves here, as Denis Ezhov of Amur has been punished for interference
	22:35	Sergey Borisov blocker side comes spinning out of his net losing his stick in the process to cover a loose rolling puck! He made that look rather dramatic!
	22:41	Kutuzov! Alexander Kutuzov from the point winds up with heavy traffic surrounding the netminder, but it travels through everyone and Sergey Borisov takes claim!
	22:50	With Amur's penalty running down they will soon be going on the powerplay themselves, as Dmitriy Makarov of Salavat has been called for holding
	23:58	Tarasov! Playing a cute one two with a teammate further back Dmitriy Tarasov looks to send in a one timer from the right faceoff circle, but the puck just rolls away from him!
	24:41	Dmitriy Tarasov is again in the thick of the action as standing alone by the right hand post he swings around with it, plays it across goal but Vladimir Sokhatskiy dives on it with attackers all around him!
	24:50	Both teams are now back at full strength with both goalkeepers having to work harder and harder, it's opening up!
	25:31	Zubarev! Amur leave Andrey Zubarev all on his own sprinting down the left wing, but he contrives to wrist wide of the far post! Surely he had to at least hit the target!
	26:10	The penalties are starting to come more frequently now, and Jesse Niinimaki of Amur is the next to be on his way to the box this time for hooking. But Marcel Hascak for slashing in the same play has also been penalised, all of a sudden making it a five on three Salavat powerplay!
	27:01	Koltsov! Between the circles Kirill Koltsov takes aim, but it's too central and Sergey Borisov almost doing the splits keeps it out and covers the rebound!
	27:42	How many chances do Salavat want! Firstly Dmitriy Syomin wrists high into a pool of bodies from the high slot, and then from point blank range Anton Slepyshev is somehow denied by the goalkeeper on a juicy rebound! The crowd here appreciate Sergey Borisov's efforts!
	28:10	Amur to their relief are back at full strength, they defended for their lives on that penalty kill with bodies diving in the way to block shots everywhere!
	30:16	The hosts are running into penalty trouble here, Salavat are starting to take complete control! Now Marcel Hascak for hooking is on his way for a two minute sit down!
	30:25	That Salavat powerplay lasted all of nine seconds though, the heat is being raised! For tripping up Mikhail Fisenko on a pacy Amur breakaway Denis Bodrov has been called!
	31:19	Makarov! Beating his opponents for sheer pace and power down the right from deep Dmitriy Makarov spins on to the slot, but with Teemu Hartikainen hacking away for it the puck rolls into the goalkeeper's grateful grasp!
	31:52	Sergey Borisov fields a dump from outside the attacking zone into his crease and takes no chances with freezing. The visitors are showing their class now, and Amur are ever more hanging on!
	32:26	Both teams are now back at full strength with just under eight minutes remaining in the second stanza
	34:08	Denis Tolpeko falling against the left hand boards manages to squeeze the puck across, but before anyone can get to it the goaltender sticks out his glove to catch confidently
	34:23	And out of nothing Amur have been gifted a powerplay to try and take the pressure off themselves, as Dmitiry Makarov has been punished for unsportsmanlike behaviour!
	35:23	Tommi Taimi holds the puck up at an awkward angle on the left, eventually opts to wrist into the near post but Vladimir Sokhatskiy read that play all the way
	36:23	The hosts couldn't really hold the puck deep inside their opponent's zone for a prolonged amount of time and Salavat are back at full strength
	37:08	Goal for Salavat Yulaev! Finally Salavat have their deserved breakthrough, it's been coming for a while! Teemu Hartikainen bursting down the right wing squares it across to the far post, and DENIS TOLPEKO slides the puck into the net! It's 0:1! Assists- Dmitriy Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen
	38:00	Antti Pihlstrom gets the better of his defender skating in with purpose to the left of the crease, goes for it himself but it gets deflected up and out of play. Salavat have looked extremely pumped up in this period, and that opening goal should give them confidence!
	39:03	Amur have to be careful not to let their heads drop, they're finding Salavat's pressure hard to deal with! And both sides have picked up a penalty at the same time, with Amur's Rastislav Spirko being called for holding and Denis Tolpeko of Salavat for interference
	39:57	We're already into the closing seconds of the second set of 20 minutes with a very interesting third awaiting us!
	40:00	2nd period finished.
		Statistics after the first two periods: Shots: 26-41 Shots on target: 16-32 Faceoffs: 18-24 Hits: 4-5 Penalty minutes: 12-12
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
	40:57	The third and vital period is underway! Salavat only have the one goal to show for their dominance, and could get tense if Amur really go for it!
	41:03	Just as both teams come back to full strength Alexander Yunkov takes aim from directly between the circles, but it's rather weak and Vladimir Sokhatskiy gloves comfortably
	41:36	Salavat's Evgeniy Skachkov for tripping while attacking has been sent to the penalty box, and Amur have an ideal powerplay chance to get something going!
	41:51	Hascak! That was a real opening for Amur! All alone on the doorstep with only the goaltender to beat Marcel Hascak contrives to slap wide of the left hand post! He really had to hit the target there!
	42:55	Already the numbers have been evened up though, as Amur's Denis Ezhov has been penalised for slashing against his opponent!
	42:59	Goal for Salavat Yulaev! That might go a long way to Salavat claiming all three points today! The puck is sent all the way back to the point, where Ilkka Heikkinen's looping drive is expertly tipped in past the goaltender by ALEXEY GLUKHOV! It's 0:2! Assists- Ilkka Heikkinen and Anton Slepyshev
	44:59	It's now a five on five hockey game again. It looks like a long way back for the hosts now, and Salavat will be calmed by the second marker that was dearly needed!
	45:52	Sergey Teryaev for holding is the next to be sent to the penalty box for Amur, but at the same time Salavat's Alexander Pankov has been penalised for diving
	47:01	Zubarev! Wristing with some power just off the left faceoff circle Andrey Zubarev forces Sergey Borisov into a very hand glove save!
	47:32	An almighty scrum erupts on Vladimir Sokhatskiy's crease as the puck is swung all the way around by the right hand post, but it hangs in the air and it eventually swiped clear! Amur have to start taking advantage of such chances!
	47:52	Both sides are back at full strength as the pace is becoming more frantic, the home fans don't want their team to give up easily!
	50:11	Vladimir Sokhatskiy with attackers swarming in sniffing away for any juicy rebounds covers a dump from deep into his crease to kill the danger
	50:34	Salavat's Ivan Lekomtsev for checking has been sent to the penalty box, giving Amur a very timely powerplay opportunity to try and give the Platinum Arena something to cheer about!
	51:45	Taimi! With bodies blocking the goaltender's view Tommi Taimi slaps in from the blue line, but Vladimir Sokhatskiy still manages to field it solidly!
	52:19	Tarasov! Played in with a splayed dish across the face Dmitry Tarasov lurking by the right post has almost half an empty net to aim at, but he makes poor contact with the goal gaping!
	52:34	Salavat are back at full strength but Amur's pressure is getting more incessant, the visiting goalkeeper is having to make some really heroic saves at times to keep his shutout going!
	54:41	Heikkinen! Bursting into the attacking zone Ilkka Heikkinen goes for a monstrous blast, but it's directly down Sergey Borisov's thoat!
	55:07	Out muscling everyone down the left wing Mikhail Zheleznov sprints on to the slot, holds the puck with the backhand but he can't find room to squeeze away a shot!
	56:42	Kirill Safronov pulling between the circles lets a testing wrister rip, but the goaltender flashes leather brilliantly to hold! He has been fantastic for Salavat so far today!
	57:26	What an untimely penalty for Amur to give away, as Jesse Niinimaki has been found guilty of slashing. That might just kill the game as a contest!
	59:01	Salavat are simply knocking the puck about taking the sting out of the game, they know that they don't need to do anything more!
	59:26	The hosts are now back at full strength but they have virtually no time left to give Salavat any nerves!
	59:48	Before the game is out Salavat's Ivan Lekomtsev has received one last penalty for interference
	59:48	And Amur have now taken a timeout and pulled Sergey Borisov in favour of the extra skater despite time almost being up!
	59:58	It is now the final couple of seconds with Salavat Yulaev heading for a well deserved 2:0 victory away from home!
	60:00	Game over.
		The final buzzer has now sounded, and Salavat Yulaev Ufa have defeated Amur Khabarovsk 2:0 in very confident fashion! After going ahead the away side never really looked like conceding, and Amur simply didn't have the cutting edge to cause their opponents problems. Denis Tolpeko opened up the scoring in the second stanza, before Alexey Glukhov made the points safe in the third. Thanks for following the game with us, and join us again soon for more enthralling KHL action! (10:21:56)

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 38. Tolpeko (Makarov, Hartikainen), 43. Glukhov (Heikkinen, Slepyshev)

Amur Khabarovsk: Borisov (Bolshakov)- Safronov, Taimi, Yunkov, Spirko, Tarasov- Peretyagin, Ezhov, Niinmaki, Miklik, Hascak- Kurbatov, Teryaev, Fisenko, Lugin, Katsuba- Dekalo, Tereschenko, Bashkirov, Litovchenko, Zheleznov

Salavat Yulaev Ufa: Sokhatskiy (Koval)- Bodrov, Kutuzov, Tolpeko, Makarov, Hartikainen- Vishnevskiy, Heikkinen, Skorokhodov, Pankov, Syomin- Zubarev, Koltsov, Pihlstrom, Kaygorodov, Skachkov- Lekomtsev, Stepanov, Glukhov, Slepyshev

Referees: Yakov Deev, Alexey Ravodin, Andrey Matyusha, Evgeniy Petrov

1st period
	00:14
	08:24
	13:48
1st intermission
2nd period
	21:31
	22:50
	26:10
	30:16
	30:25
	34:23
	37:08
	39:03
2nd intermission
3rd period
	41:36
	42:55
	42:59
	45:52
	50:34
	57:26
	59:48
Final