KHL
Vityaz – SKA St. Petersburg 4:6 (end)
final
Vityaz Podolsk
4:6 (2:2, 1:2, 1:2)
SKA St. Petersburg
Wednesday 29.10.2014, 17:30 • Ice Palace of Podolsk • KHL
     
    There is the final buzzer, and in a true classic SKA Saint Petersburg have seen off Vityaz Podolsk 6:4! It was a game to savour, as both teams showed real class in the attack. Artemiy Panarin, Viktor Tikhonov, Dmitriy Kalinin, Igor Makarov, Roman Cervenka and Maxim Chudinov gave SKA the win, whereas Alexander Kucheryavenko, Mario Kempe, Mikhail Yakubov and Vyacheslav Solodukhin replied for Vityaz. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more thrilling KHL action! (19:59:54)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:52
    With SKA cleverly seeing the game out they are heading to a crazy 6:4 win in Podolsk!
     
    58:31
    Maxim Afinogenov shows some serious speed blitzing down the left flank, but he makes the angle too awkward for himself and Alexander Salak gets his body in the way to keep it out! It's getting frantic here!
     
    56:38
    Martensson! The puck pops out to the doorstep with an almighty scramble erupting, Tony Martensson slaps first time but only into the goalkeeper's midriff!
     
    54:43
    Some home fans were seen walking out of the arena following SKA's sixth goal, but I can imagine that they are regretting that now! It's setting up to be a grandstand finish!
     
    52:44
    Goal for Vityaz!
    But straight away the hosts give themselves a glimmer of light! The SKA defence goes missing as VYACHESLAV SOLODUKHIN steams clean through one on one, and with the backhand he strikes gold! It's now 4:6! Assists- Robert Kousal
     
    52:30
    Goal for SKA!
    They're pulling away now! Completely free at the blue line MAXIM CHUDINOV slaps as hard as he can, and Ivan Lisutin is helpless to stop it! Powerplay goal and it's 3:6! Assists- Ilya Kovalchuk
     
    51:50
    Shitikov! Shorthanded Vityaz should have really got back within touching distance! It's a two on one as SKA cough up the puck in the attacking zone, but blocker side Dmitriy Shitikov can't lift it over Alexander Salak! You can let chances like that go to waste!
     
    50:45
    SKA are gradually taking control of proceedings expertly and they're going to have another man's advantage, as Maxim Afinogenov of the hosts has been found guilty of cross checking
     
    50:18
    Artemiy Panarin now has an attempt, he drives down the left, lets a wrist shot go but again Ivan Lisutin is on his game. Despite conceding five times he has been solid for Vityaz today!
     
    48:06
    Kovalchuk! He just can't score today! Ilya Kovalchuk forces his way through one on one, cuts glove side, but can't lift it over the goalkeeper's left pad!
     
    46:45
    Just as Vityaz come back to full strength again Ilya Kovalchuk tries his luck this time from the right, but Ivan Lisutin reads it well to cover
     
    45:47
    Ilya Kovalchuk lets rip with a monstrous slapper on the left faceoff circle, but the goaltender flashes leather impressively to deny him! That was hit with some force!
     
    44:45
    But SKA have earned a powerplay during that incident, as Vityaz's Yakov Seleznyov has been called for slashing
     
    44:41
    Barabanov! Picking up another huge rebound on Ivan Lisutin's crease Alexander Barabanov swings devilishly to the left hand post, but he wrists over the near corner with the net gaping!
     
    43:09
    Porseland! Immediately Vityaz could have again got back within one! The puck falls at the stick of Mathias Porseland racing down between the circles, but he's denied by a massive glove save by Alexander Salak! That's ideal goaltending!
     
    42:07
    Goal for SKA!
    That could turn out to be the killer blow! The puck trickles its way through all the way to the doorstep slightly to the left, and ROMAN CERVENKA neatly backhands in with practically an empty net to aim at! It's 3:5! Assists- Alexander Barabanov and Maxim Chudinov
     
    41:23
    Anton Belov thumps the puck into the crease from the blue line, but no one can get a deciding touch on it as it flies all the way through
     
    40:23
    The third and deciding period is underway! With only a slender one goal lead SKA need to rid themselves of their nerves!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods:

    Shots: 31-43
    Shots on target: 17-28
    Faceoffs: 18-22
    Hits: 29-23
    Penalty minutes: 8-16
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:33
    Both teams are providing a complete treat for us today! And with Alexander Salak and Ivan Lisutin having to make some tough saves at both end a fantastic second stanza is at its end!
     
    38:41
    Goal for SKA!
    This is turning into a true thriller! Ivan Lisutin can't hold on to a huge slapshot from Anton Burdasov closing down, and IGOR MAKAROV buries the juicy rebound from point blank range! It's 3:4! Assists- Anton Burdasov
     
    37:38
    The pace is being upped time and time again, Vityaz are showing true determined grit, while their opponents are shaky defensively!
     
    36:01
    Evgeniy Dadonov pulls on to the right faceoff circle, puts in a very powerful wrist shot and the falling netminder just gets enough on it! The visitors will want to get back ahead as soon as they can!
     
    34:04
    Goal for Vityaz!
    Vityaz just will not go away! The puck is thrown across from behind the net, MIKHAIL YAKUBOV takes it up and with a neat move backhands it beyond the despairing Alexander Salak! It's 3:3! Assists- Dmitriy Shitikov and Nikita Vyglazov
     
    33:33
    Ilya Kovalchuk falling against the left hand boards forces the puck across goal, Tony Martensson flashes his backhand, and just before anyone can get to the rebound Ivan Lisutin scoops it up! He was lucky that no one could get there before him!
     
    32:31
    SKA can feel a lot more confident and comfortable now having got that well needed third marker! But Yakob Seleznyov of Vityaz has been completed clattered by Dmitriy Yudin, and despite looking in real pain no penalty has been called on the play!
     
    32:01
    Goal for SKA!
    That is a seriously important goal for SKA! The home defence forgets all about DMITRIY KALININ sneaking in by the left faceoff circle, and after being set up he scores in beautiful fashion finding the far high corner! It's 2:3! Assists- Ilya Kablukov and Igor Makarov
     
    31:19
    SKA didn't work enough room in which to shoot during those minutes, and it's a full strength game
     
    29:19
    Yakov Seleznyov of Vityaz has gifted the visitors a great chance to get back on track though, as he has been found guilty of cross checking
     
    28:16
    SKA have to change the momentum of the game somehow and they are now at full strength again
     
    28:02
    Kucheryavenko! What an opening to put Vityaz ahead for the first time today! All alone to the left of the crease Alexander Kucheryavenko is picked out, but he contrives to fire wide of the near post! He simply had to hit the target there!
     
    26:16
    You can tell that these two don't like each other at all! Maxim Chudinov of SKA looks to drop the gloves against one of his opponents the boards, but the referees have straight away sent him to the penalty box for roughing!
     
    25:58
    Andrey Ermakov takes up the puck at the blue line, wrists in with some power but Ivan Lisutin's glove comfortably shovels it out of danger
     
    24:11
    Tsyganov! Dmitriy Tsyganov speeds around the net from the right wing, swings to the far post and Alexander Salak has to be very alert to shut the five hole in time!
     
    21:45
    Mario Kempe storms past the blue line, neatly cuts to the left before firing inches wide of the near post! The hosts are attacking with some pace!
     
    20:21
    The second stanza is go! Vityaz have been extremely sharp so far, and against such opponents they need to keep that up!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play:

    Shots: 16-18
    Shots on target: 7-14
    Faceoffs: 12-10
    Hits: 12-12
    Penalty minutes: 6-14
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:48
    As SKA thankfully for themselves come back to full strength a pulsating and breathless first period is drawing to a close!
     
    17:43
    And we have a mass brawl on our hands! Ilya Kablukov and Anton Burdasov of SKA drop their opponents to the ground, and it ends with the latter gaining a six minute penalty for unsportsmanlike behaviour! It will indeed be another Vityaz powerplay, despite their Anton Bukhanko getting punished for roughing too
     
    17:23
    SKA have completely fallen away after taking such an early two goal lead, and Vityaz have got all of the momentum! The visitors really do need to regroup!
     
    16:20
    Goal for Vityaz!
    SKA have to stop taking such silly penalties, they're getting punished! A heavy slapper from the point pops out to the left of the slot, and MARIO KEMPE taps it in with the goalkeeper out of position! Powerplay goal and it's 2:2! Assists- Maxim Afinogenov and Georgiy Berdyukov
     
    16:01
    Yet again though the visitors have been called for another offence, as now they have too many men on the ice. Captain Ilya Kovalchuk will sit this one out
     
    15:12
    Vityaz's powerplay has gone a bit off the boil after scoring on their first and it's a five on five hockey game again
     
    13:31
    Tikhonov! On a pacy shorthanded rush Viktor Tikhonov jinks inside his opponent, from distance winds up, but it's directly down the goalkeeper's throat!
     
    13:12
    But straight away there's been another penalty called, SKA are getting into a bit of penalty trouble here! Igor Makarov is the next to be punished for an illegal attack!
     
    12:38
    The visitors kept the puck away from their zone for the most part and are already back at full strength
     
    11:31
    Kempe! Mario Kempe is practically all alone on the right faceoff circle, he takes his time, wrists but near post Alexander Salak kicks it around and into the boards!
     
    10:38
    The penalties keep on coming and again SKA are the team to be punished, as forward Viktor Tikhonov has been penalised for tripping
     
    10:28
    Kovalchuk! Showing flashy skill twisting his way into the danger zone from the left wing Ilya Kovalchuk with bodies all around him takes aim, but somehow Ivan Lisutin still manages to cover it up on the goal line!
     
    09:51
    Ilya Kovalchuk for SKA charges into the attacking zone, wrists with power and the netminder makes a rather unorthodox mask save! It's been a fast and furious start here, with both attacks looking on their game!
     
    08:49
    Goal for Vityaz!
    That's a chance that they have taken advantage of perfectly! ALEXANDER KUCHERYAVENKO receives the puck to the right of the crease, twists and backhands looking for the far corner, and it catches Alexander Salak offguard! Powerplay goal and it's 1:2! Assists- Maxim Afinogenov
     
    07:11
    SKA's Yury Alexandrov has been found guilty of tripping here, and the hosts have been gifted a powerplay chance to take the pressure off themselves
     
    06:49
    Cervenka! Vityaz are horribly open defensively! Once again down the right Roman Cervenka has a two on one, opts to shoot himself but Ivan Lisutin gets something on it!
     
    05:01
    SKA are seriously up for it, but Vityaz could have already brought themselves back in the game! Mario Kempe beats everyone for power on the right flank, but when bursting on to the crease he can't stuff it beyond Alexander Salak from point blank range!
     
    04:21
    Goal for SKA!
    The visitors are looking so ruthless early on! Excellent build up play feeds VIKTOR TIKHONOV between the circles, and first time he thumps it past the home goalkeeper Ivan Lisutin! Powerplay goal and it's 0:2! Assists- Andrey Kuteikin and Evgeniy Dadonov
     
    02:42
    Vityaz don't seem to have got started at all today and immediately after conceding they've got a very untimely penalty, as Anton Bukhanko has been called for tripping
     
    01:12
    Goal for SKA!
    And just like that SKA have a very early lead for themselves! Quite fantastic puck movement sees Viktor Tikhonov lay the puck back to the doorstep, where the onrushing ARTEMIY PANARIN sweeps home! It's 0:1! Assists- Andrey Kuteikin and Viktor Tikhonov
     
    00:23
    We're underway! SKA won't want to slip up here!
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now out on to the ice, and after the Russian national anthem we'll be getting underway!
     
    Starting lineups:

    Vityaz Podolsk: Lisutin (Sateri)- Grebeshkov, Porseland, Tsyganov, Horak, Kousal- Vereshagin, Berdyukov, Kempe, Afinogenov, Kucheryavenko- Golovkov, Seleznyov, Vyglazov, Shitikov, Yakubov- Bukhanko, Sabinin, Solodukhin, Korolyov, Shvets-Rogovoy

    SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Khafizullin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Ketov- Y Alexandrov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Barabanov, Martensson, Cervenka- Yudin, Ermakov, Burdasov, Kablukov, Makarov

    Referees: Roman Gofman, Alexey Ravodin, Viktor Birin, Alexey Medvedev.
     
    Last term Vityaz failed to make the post-season, whereas SKA made it all the way to the Western Conference semi finals. These two have already met this season, where SKA thrashed their opponents 7:1 in Saint Petersburg.
     
    Vityaz have been surprising everyone this season so far, shockingly finding themselves in eight place of the Western Conference at the moment with 29 points. Their opponents today SKA have been practically unstoppable though, dropping just two games out of 22, and leading the way in the overall KHL table.
     
    Good evening and welcome to this KHL regular season match between Vityaz Podolsk and SKA Saint Petersburg. SKA are big favourites today to get the three points, but Vityaz always give there all.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 9. Kucheryavenko (Afinogenov), 17. Kempe (Afinogenov, Berdyukov), 35. Yakubov (Shitikov, Vyglazov), 53. Solodukhin (Kousal) – 2. Panarin (Kuteikin, Tikhonov), 5. Tikhonov (Kuteikin, Dadonov), 33. Kalinin (Kablukov, Makarov), 39. Makarov (Burdasov), 43. Cervenka (Barabanov, Chudinov), 53. Chudinov (Kovalchuk)

    Vityaz Podolsk: Lisutin (Sateri)- Grebeshkov, Porseland, Tsyganov, Horak, Kousal- Vereshagin, Berdyukov, Kempe, Afinogenov, Kucheryavenko- Golovkov, Seleznyov, Vyglazov, Shitikov, Yakubov- Bukhanko, Sabinin, Solodukhin, Korolyov, Shvets-Rogovoy
    SKA St. Petersburg: Salak (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Khafizullin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Ketov- Y Alexandrov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Barabanov, Martensson, Cervenka- Yudin, Ermakov, Burdasov, Kablukov, Makarov
    Referees: Roman Gofman, Alexey Ravodin, Viktor Birin, Alexey Medvedev
    Attendance: 5350