PET 5:3 AST | SKA St. Petersburg - Barys Nur-Sultan (KHL)

KHL

SKA St. Petersburg – Barys

5:3 (end)

final

SKA St. Petersburg Rusko

5:3 (1:1, 3:2, 1:0)

Barys Nur-Sultan

Tuesday 21.10.2014, 17:30 • Ice Palace of Saint Petersburg • KHL

		What a simply amazing game that was, and SKA Saint Petersburg have kept their winning series going with a 5:3 triumph over Barys Astana! They played almost the entire third period on the penalty kill, but Alexander Salak worked miracles in their net. Anton Belov, Jimmie Ericsson, Patrick Thoresen, Alexander Barabanov and Ilya Kovalchuk all got on the board for SKA, whereas Roman Savchenko, Mikhail Rakhmanov and Roman Starchenko replied for the visitors. Thanks for following the game with us, and join us again soon for more exciting KHL action! (20:00:15)
	60:00	Game over.
	59:51	SKA have only their netminder Alexander Salak to thank today, but they are heading for a nervy 5:3 win on home ice!
	59:31	Goal for SKA! That's that now! What an enthralling period this is turning out to be! ILYA KOVALCHUK picks up the puck driving in from deep on the right, and he has no problems with hitting the empty net! It's 5:3! Assists- Anton Belov
	58:09	Barys have already pulled Alexey Ivanov for the extra skater, it's quite a big risk from their head coach Andrey Nazarov!
	57:39	Roman Cervenka with a brilliant through the needle pass from between the circles picks out the onrushing Patrick Thoresen, but he can't get an effort away under pressure!
	57:01	Starchenko! How many chances do the visitors want! Konstantin Rudenko dishes to the free Roman Starchenko on the doorstep from a tight angle on the left, but the latter can only deftly flick into Alexander Salak's chest!
	55:42	SKA did at least keep the puck well away from their zone on that powerplay and their opponents are at full strength again, it's shaping up to be a thrilling climax!
	53:41	The referee has blown for another penalty but finally it's not against SKA, as Barys defenceman Evgeniy Blokhin has been penalised for tripping! The hosts will be very relieved to take the pressure off themselves for two minutes!
	52:08	Konstantin Rudenko drifts into the attacking zone from deep, takes on a pacy wrist shot from distance but the goalkeeper comfortably takes a claim of it
	51:39	SKA once again have five players on the ice, Barys' seriously wasteful powerplay is letting the hosts off the hook time and time again!
	51:28	Salak! He seems to be playing all on his own at the moment and he's doing a fantastic job! Kevin Dallman slaps from the blue line not once but twice, and Alexander Salak fields both efforts brilliantly!
	50:01	On an almighty goalmouth scramble Nigel Dawes looks to hit the right hand post when practically on the goal line! The home crowd drew its breath there, what drama here!
	49:39	And Barys have promptly taken a timeout, they know that they can't afford to let this opportunity to go to waste!
	49:39	It's incredibly another penalty against SKA! Now Dinar Khafizullin has been punished for tripping, they really are making life harder than it should be for themselves!
	49:20	Dustin Boyd beats the entire SKA defence for sheer pace, wrist rather early though and Alexander Salak rather untidily fends it off! The hosts just cannot find their game at all!
	47:58	The penalties keep on coming and again SKA have kept themselves on the penalty kill, as now forward Viktor Tikhonov has been called for hooking
	47:33	Barys are failing to take advantage of these gaping chances coming their way and SKA are back at full strength. And now Alexander Salak makes a simply wonderful save! Nigel Dawes with what looks like an empty left hand to aim at wrists, but somehow the goalkeeper gets across to make an almost football looking save! The fans are loving that!
	46:23	Maxim Semyonov winds up from the point, it's hit with some power but the netminder kicks it out of danger! He's having more and more work to do in SKA's net!
	45:48	Nigel Dawes speeds down the left bullying his way onto the crease, it pops out to Brandon Bochenski but Alexander Salak makes two important pad saves to keep his team in the lead!
	45:13	But again SKA have got another two minute minor against their name, they're getting into real trouble! Now Maxim Chudinov for interference is the guilty party!
	44:30	SKA have to tighten up defensively but they are thankfully for them back at full strength
	42:49	Dawes! Nigel Dawes peeling off the left faceoff circle has clear space in between him and Alexander Salak, his wrister looks to be heading in but the falling Alexander Kadeikin heroically gets his chest in the way to keep it out!
	42:30	And Barys have immediately been handed a big opportunity to get back on level terms already, as Tony Martensson of SKA has been penalised for hooking!
	42:21	Cervenka! Just how didn't he find the net there! Alexey Ponikarovskiy spinning around to the left of the slot wrists it across, and Roman Cervenka at the far post is somehow denied by Alexey Ivanov! He looked sure to score!
	40:33	Alexander Barabanov attempts to cause chaos on Barys' slot, but searching for the loose puck along with Jimmie Ericsson Alexey Ivanov comes sprawling out to freeze!
	40:11	The third and deciding period is underway! SKA at only one goal to the good know that they need to score again to feel more at ease!
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods: Shots: 46-22 Shots on target: 26-11 Faceoffs: 19-19 Hits: 22-19 Penalty minutes: 4-6
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:46	Jimmie Ericsson drifts down the left flank, wrists it across the danger zone but Alexey Ivanov gloves it confidently. And we're already into the final moments of an enthralling second set of 20 minutes!
	38:52	Coming under some serious pressure SKA are back at full strength, they have lost all their concentration after scoring their fourth and are paying for it!
	38:31	Oskars Bartulis is picked out at the blue line, he sears it through heavy traffic but Alexander Salak moving slightly off his line collects it well!
	37:15	Ericsson! On a shorthanded rush down the right wing Jimmie Ericsson slaps the puck with serious force, and Alexey Ivanov has some trouble fending that off at an awkward height!
	36:51	The Saint Petersburg Ice Palace has fallen rather quiet and again the hosts are going on a rather unneeded penalty kill, as for hooking Alexey Ponikarovskiy has been punished for the second time in a row
	34:38	Goal for Barys! It really is game on now as Barys are back to within one! The home defence has simply gone to sleep as ROMAN STARCHENKO feeding off loose change on the right faceoff circle is free to slap in, and he beats the despairing Alexander Salak! It's 4:3! Assists- Konstantin Rudenko and Dmitriy Upper
	33:08	SKA have survived that particular scare and are back at full strength, they can't afford to let their concentration slip despite being up by two!
	33:02	Dallman! Kevin Dallman with bodies queuing up on the crease whacks it in, Alexander Salak can't hold on to it and he's lucky that Brandon Bochenski can't find his balance in time!
	31:08	Suddenly the momentum looks to be swapping hands as Barys have earned themselves a quick powerplay to keep on the pressure! Alexey Ponikarovskiy of SKA has been called now for interference
	30:23	Goal for Barys! Just like that the visitors are back into things! The SKA defence is completely caught cold as down the right the puck is slid across to the far post, and MIKHAIL RAKHAMNOV excellently finds the target! It's 4:2! Assists- Konstantin Pushkaryov and Andrey Gavrilin
	29:57	And Barys have now pulled Jan Laco, with Alexey Ivanov taking his place! They had to change something as they're beginning to get swept away!
	29:57	Goal for SKA! Wow, on his season debut SKA's number 94 opens up his own personal scoring account! Ilya Kovalchuk from the left dumps the puck into the slot, and ALEXANDER BARABANOV pokes it over the line with Jan Laco struggling! It's 4:1! Assists- Jimmie Ericsson and Ilya Kovalchuk
	28:07	Just as Viktor Tikhonov had an extremely dangerous wrister from point bank range deflected up and over Barys come back to full strength, they won't be wanting to go on the penalty kill any time again soon!
	27:50	Andrey Kuteikin slaps in with serious force from the point, and with Jan Laco panicking it gets deflected inches past the right hand post!
	26:07	Barys really aren't helping themselves with so many cheap penalties and here's another, with the referees finding them guilty of having too many men on the ice! Konstantin Pushkaryov will sit this one out for his team
	25:12	Dadonov! It could have already been four! Evgeniy Dadonov sprinting down the right flank on a two on one takes aim himself, and Jan Laco gets his body in the way to keep his team in it!
	25:08	Bochenski! Almost straight away Barys could have done something to try and turn the tide! Brandon Bochenski feeding off a feed from the right flank hacks away at it on the doorstep, but Viktor Tikhonov and then Artemiy Panarin both block it at source!
	24:17	Goal for SKA! SKA's powerplay is working perfectly so far today! PATRICK THORESEN tries his luck from the high slot cutting in from the left, and with Jimmie Ericsson jumping in front of the goalkeeper it hits the net! Powerplay goal and it's 3:1! Assists- Roman Cervenka
	24:02	And that pressure has ended with SKA drawing a second powerplay on the spin, as Oleg Blokhin of Barys has been sent to the penalty box for slashing
	22:12	SKA are holding the puck deep inside Barys' zone not letting them get out of jail at all! The visitors have their backs up against the wall now having fallen behind!
	20:47	Goal for SKA! For the first time today the hosts have got their noses ahead! Maxim Chudinov's heavy slapper from distance cannons back off the boards, and lurking on the left hand post JIMMIE ERICSSON taps home! Powerplay goal and it's 2:1! Assists- Roman Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov
	20:01	The second stanza is go, and remember that SKA are still on the powerplay for a further 00:54!
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the opening period of play: Shots: 27-6 Shots on target: 14-2 Faceoffs: 9-8 Hits: 10-12 Penalty minutes: 0-2
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:50	Viktor Tikhonov hangs dangerously behind the net, takes on a surprising shot himself and the goalkeeper almost on the goal line stops it from trickling in! And we're now into the final seconds of an eventful first period!
	18:54	We have the first penalty of the game and it's against the under fire Barys, as defenceman Maxim Semyonov has been handed a two minute minor for hooking
	17:14	Tony Martensson completely open lurking just off the left faceoff circle sees the netminder slightly out of position, takes aim but Jan Laco gets across quick enough to get his body in the way!
	16:09	Viktor Tikhonov charging down the right wing opts to take on the shot early, but Jan Laco's glove is equal to it! SKA are playing with more and more power!
	15:36	The hosts responded practically instantly to falling behind! The Saint Petersburg Ice Palace has really woken up with seeing their team get on the board!
	14:26	Goal for SKA! It didn't take SKA long to respond! Patrick Thoresen being pressed into the left hand boards brilliantly whips it across to the far post, and ANTON BELOV all alone finds the net! It's 1:1! Assists- Patrick Thoresen
	11:08	Goal for Barys! Despite coming under increased pressure Barys have drawn first blood! ROMAN SAVCHENKO winds up at the blue line, and with heavy traffic in front of him Alexander Salak can't get anything on it! It's 0:1! Assists- Nigel Dawes and Evgeniy Blokhin
	10:01	Tikhonov! Viktor Tikhonov standing directly on the tip of the slot hits it first time. but Jan Laco still manages to get something on it! It's becoming more exciting now!
	09:34	Alexander Kadeikin showing some wonderful skill jinks his way past no less than three opponents closing down, but his eventual effort is deflected up and out of play!
	08:16	Chudinov! Maxim Chudinov from distance smashes the puck as hard as he can, but with no one in front of him Jan Laco is free to field it solidly!
	07:31	Alexandrov! Now SKA have a decent chance as after clever build up play Yury Alexandrov slaps in from the blue line, but the goalkeeper at the second attempt spreads himself big to freeze!
	06:24	Boyd! Brandon Bochenski all of a sudden has a two on one down the left for himself, he splays it on to the doorstep and Dustin Boyd can only poke it wide! That was a real opening for Barys!
	05:33	Evgeniy Ketov escapes the Barys defence, wrists when moving onto the high slot from the right but Jan Laco pads it wide. The game hasn't really got a lot of pace to it so far, both sides are figuring each other out!
	03:45	Alexander Barabanov drives down the left flank powerfully, flashes it across the slot but after a series of ricochets Jan Laco gets his glove on it, that could have been dangerous!
	03:04	It has been a rather quiet start here, with SKA seeing a lot of the puck but failing to create any shooting opportunities so far
	01:46	Nigel Dawes has the first shot on goal for Barys as he finds a bit of room on the right faceoff circle, but his wrister is comfortably turned around by Alexander Salak
	00:25	Off we go! SKA will be looking to keep their amazing winning run going at home!
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are now out on to the ice, and after the Russian and Kazakh national anthems we'll be getting underway!
		Starting lineups: SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Yudin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Barabanov- Y Alexandrov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Khafizullin, Ryasensky, Ponikarovskiy, Kadeikin, Ketov Barys Astana: Laco (Ivanov)- Dallman, Lundin, Bochenski. Boyd, Dawes- Semyonov, Bartulis, Rudenko, Upper, Starchenko- Blokhin, Savchenko, Gavrilin, Pushkaryov, Zhailauov- Tserenok, Ryspaev, Likhotnikov, Rakhmanov, Romanov Referees: Nikolay Akuzovskiy, Alexey Belov, Sergey Morozov, Ivan Fateev.
		Last term both of these teams made it to the semi finals of their respective conferences, with SKA playing in the west and Barys in the east.
		SKA have made simply an amazing start to the new campaign, winning every game but one of their first 19 setting record after record. Kazakh outfit Barys have been solid too though, and have ended up on the victorious side three times out of their past five matches.
		Good evening and welcome to this KHL regular season match between SKA Saint Petersburg and Barys Astana. Both sides love to attack, and it should make for a pulsating encounter.
		Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 15. Belov (Thoresen), 21. Ericsson (Cervenka, Chudinov), 25. Thoresen (Cervenka), 30. Barabanov (Ericsson, Kovalchuk), 60. Kovalchuk (Belov) – 12. Savchenko (Dawes, Blokhin), 31. Rakhmanov (Pushkaryov, Gavrilin), 35. Starchenko (Rudenko, Upper)

SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Yudin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Barabanov- Y Alexandrov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Khafizullin, Ryasensky, Ponikarovskiy, Kadeikin, Ketov

Barys Nur-Sultan: Laco (Ivanov)- Dallman, Lundin, Bochenski. Boyd, Dawes- Semyonov, Bartulis, Rudenko, Upper, Starchenko- Blokhin, Savchenko, Gavrilin, Pushkaryov, Zhailauov- Tserenok, Ryspaev, Likhotnikov, Rakhmanov, Romanov

Referees: Nikolay Akuzovskiy, Alexey Belov, Sergey Morozov, Ivan Fateev

Attendance: 12077

1st period
	11:08
	14:26
	18:54
1st intermission
2nd period
	20:47
	24:02
	24:17
	26:07
	29:57
	30:23
	31:08
	34:38
	36:51
2nd intermission
3rd period
	42:30
	45:13
	47:58
	49:39
	53:41
	59:31
Final