KHL
SKA St. Petersburg – Metallurg M 1:2 (end)
final
SKA St. Petersburg
1:2 (0:1, 1:0, 0:1)
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Thursday 06.11.2014, 17:30 • Ice Palace of Saint Petersburg • KHL
     
    There indeed is the final buzzer, and SKA Saint Petersburg have dropped their first home game of the season 1:2 to Metallurg Magnitogorsk! The visitors were very patient, and saw out the game perfectly. Maxim Yakutsenya and Rafael Batyrshin got their goals, whereas Roman Cervenka replied for SKA. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more thrilling KHL action! (19:55:15)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:52
    Metallurg are expertly seeing the game out as they are now heading for a tough 2:1 victory on the road!
     
    59:20
    A timeout has been taken by SKA, they only have just over thirty seconds to take this into overtime!
     
    59:13
    And SKA netminder Evgeniy Ivannikov has now indeed been swapped for the extra skater! It's now or never for the hosts!
     
    58:21
    The final two minutes are upon us already as the game has gone almost seven/eight minutes without any stoppages at all! Time is simply flying by!
     
    55:10
    There are no shots on goal at all at the moment, SKA can't control the puck and their visitors are very happy to just dump it down the other end and keep it there!
     
    53:47
    The hosts are moving the puck with confidence but time and time again they are being shoved out of the attacking zone, Metallurg are proving to be stubborn!
     
    52:44
    With that goal coming with only just over eight minutes remaining SKA have a huge task ahead to draw level! The Metallurg defence is looking very tough to break down at the moment!
     
    51:35
    Goal for Metallurg!
    Out of completely nothing the visitors have grabbed what could be a pivotal lead! RAFAEL BATYRSHIN whips it across from a tight angle on the right, and somehow it sneaks through the goalkeeper and in! It's 1:2! Assists- Danis Zaripov
     
    50:01
    Near post glove side SKA netminder Evgeniy Ivannikov has to watch out for a trickling dump across the face of goal, and with attackers charging down he holds on
     
    49:11
    Ponikarovskiy! Stretching his stick out on to a slide rule feed from behind the net on the left Alexey Ponikaorvskiy can only hit the side netting! That was a fantastic chance to move SKA ahead for the first time today!
     
    47:13
    While being in the vast minority today, the visiting fans from Magnitogorsk are making themselves heard loud and clear, to the boos of SKA's supporters!
     
    46:13
    Metallurg just like earlier on are content to sit back and break out of defence with a lot of numbers, they're trying to simply suffocate SKA's attacking game
     
    44:14
    Roman Cervenka on a mad erupting goalmouth scramble wrists quite unexpectedly, but the netminder still is able to kick it round and out of danger! SKA are starting to up the antti now!
     
    42:51
    Off a faceoff draw on the left Igor Makarov takes a swipe at the puck, and that's directly down the throat of Vasiliy Koshechkin who has been rock solid so far
     
    42:01
    Ponikarovskiy! Despite it being a rather slow start to the period Alexey Ponikarovskiy of SKA outmuscles his opponents closing down on the doorstep, but he's pushed out of the way just in time!
     
    40:08
    The crucial third period is underway! Both sides are creating chances aplenty, and the next goal could prove to be the winner!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening 40 minutes of play:

    Shots: 39-31
    Shots on target: 23-17
    Faceoffs: 12-24
    Hits: 19-18
    Penalty minutes: 0-2
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:53
    A pulsating second set of twenty minutes is now in its final seconds, and it's shaped up to be a thrilling deciding third!
     
    38:37
    Up steps Maxim Yakutsenya, but going blocker side he fails to lift it over Evgeniy Ivannikov's body who makes a really excellent save! We play on at 1:1!
     
    38:37
    We have a penalty shot here! Maxim Yakutsenya was chopped down when one on one, and the referees have indicated penalty shot!
     
    37:31
    Just as Metallurg come back to full strength SKA carve out another chance for themselves! Evgeniy Ryasensky out of nowhere appears on the doorstep, but he can only smack the goaltender's chest!
     
    37:19
    Kovalchuk! Neat and very intelligent build up play sets up Ilya Kovalchuk on the right faceoff circle, but with Vasiliy Koshechkon ducking out of the way it flashes over! That was so close to hitting the net!
     
    35:26
    Just seconds after Viktor Antipin spurned a guilt edged opportunity by the left hand post we have our first penalty of the day! Metallurg's Denis Platonov has been found guilty of holding!
     
    35:14
    Kosov! For the third time in a row he is Metallurg's main threat, and again he can't beat Evgeniy Ivannikov! Picking up the loose change to the left of the slot Yaroslav Kosov takes a poke, but the netminder somehow gets in the way of it!
     
    33:44
    Again Yaroslav Kosov is at the heart of the action as moving in from deep down the right wing he sends in a piercing wrist shot, and near post the goalkeeper fields it expertly
     
    32:09
    Metallurg's Yaroslav Khabarov takes a swing at it when sneaking in off the right, but a defender charging it down at source deflects it up and out of play
     
    31:31
    Vladislav Kamenev looks to take the pressure off Metallurg as he thumps the puck in from the blue line, and he does at least force a faceoff as Evgeniy Ivannikov doing the splits keeps it under control
     
    30:31
    Artemiy Panarin bullies his way down the right wing, wrists with serious whip but it shaves the crossbar! Vasiliy Koshechkin can expect to come under siege now!
     
    29:20
    The Saint Petersburg Ice Palace saw its roof fly off with that goal! SKA are doing all the running now and can feel the momentum swinging their way!
     
    27:19
    Goal for SKA!
    Now SKA finally have their craved equaliser, it's been coming! To the right of the doorstep ROMAN CERVENKA hacks away at it surronded, and while practically on the goal line he stuffs it in! It's 1:1! Assists- Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen
     
    25:04
    Dadonov! That was the chance for SKA to tie it up! Artemiy Panarin escapes his marker speeding down the left flank, on a two on one he dishes to Evgeniy Dadonov, but the thrashes it wide! He was all alone!
     
    24:51
    The puck is going from one end to another at the moment, Metallurg are controlling the play excellently, shutting down all roads to the net for SKA
     
    22:34
    Ilya Kovalchuk finishes off a lengthy attacking play as SKA create something for the first time, but his wrister from the right of the slot doesn't cause Vasiliy Koshechkin any problems
     
    21:48
    Metallurg have started much the brighter in this period so far, the hosts are encamped inside their own zone! And now SKA's goalkeeper takes claim of a dangerous effort from the left hand boards as he's having some work to do!
     
    20:44
    Zaripov! Danis Zaripov hammers in a strong slapshot moving off the left faceoff circle, but near post Evgeniy Ivannikov is alert enough to freeze!
     
    20:33
    The second stanza is go! SKA at only one down need to start taking advantage of the chances that are falling their way!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the first period:

    Shots: 22-14
    Shots on target: 14-7
    Faceoffs: 6-12
    Hits: 11-9
    Penalty minutes: 0-0
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:46
    SKA are doing just about everything but score at the moment, but a successful Metallurg opening period is drawing to its close
     
    17:22
    Kablukov! Igor Makarov when pinned up against the boards brilliantly picks out Ilya Kablukov down the left, he tries his luck but Vasiliy Koshechkin watches it drift wide of the far post!
     
    16:41
    Kuteikin! Andrey Kuteikin wriggles free between the circles, absolutely smashes the puck and it's deflected up and over the crossbar! That was hit with force!
     
    15:33
    Danis Zaripov, Metallurg's main threat, sprints directly down the center of the ice, skating in wrists with venom but it spins wide of the right hand post
     
    13:01
    Ilya Kovalchuk has his third dangerous effort as closing down on the right he wrists with power, but this time with the goaltender beaten he smacks the bar! He's coming closer and closer!
     
    12:23
    Patrick Thoresen lashes the puck into the crease from falling up against the boards on the left, and Vasiliy Koshechkin takes a hold of it. SKA will be very annoyed to having conceded first, they're making the majority of the pressure!
     
    11:31
    Goal for Metallurg!
    They have been on the back foot rather but they've drawn first blood! With the SKA back line nowhere to be seen MAXIM YAKUTSENIYA charges through one on one, and he goes five hole on Evgeniy Ivannikov! It's 0:1! Assists- Viktor Antipin and Rafael Batyrshin
     
    11:23
    Kovalchuk! He really does want that goal today! Ilya Kovalchuk speeds in past the blue line, slightly to the right takes aim, and yet again the netminder gets the better of him!
     
    11:09
    Evgeniy Ketov bursts down the left wing, throws it across the slot with Igor Makarov and Ilya Kablukov lurking, but the Metallurg defence shuffle it clear of danger
     
    07:34
    And now SKA's young goalkeeper solidly clings on to a testing wrister from the left hand boards. Both teams are creating real openings now at either end!
     
    06:41
    Zaripov! That was Metallurg's best opportunity of the day so far! With the SKA defence all over the place Danis Zaripov turns at the right of the slot, he looks sure to score but the sprawling Evgeniy Ivannikov somehow denies him!
     
    05:23
    Metallurg's Mikhail Yunkov pulls to a very awkward angle on the right, still manages to backhand it across but Evgeniy Ivannikov takes it up at the second attempt
     
    04:33
    Panarin! Artemiy Panarin on his own by the right faceoff circle is fed neatly, takes aim first time and against Vasiliy Koshechkin is alert! The Metallurg netminder is seriously on his game!
     
    03:51
    Igor Makarov of SKA does a full 360 at the high slot, wrists high, the goaltender pushes it out with his chest and before anyone can get to the rebound sweeps it up!
     
    03:38
    Kovalchuk! What an opportunity to give SKA an early lead! Cutting in off the left flank with the Metallurg defence all over the place Ilya Kovalchuk moves glove side, but Vasiliy Koshechkin makes a massive glove save to deny him! Just how did he keep hold of that!
     
    02:21
    Mikhail Yunkov of Metallurg collects up a loose puck spinning on the doorstep, but he can't control it off balance! It's been a rather quiet start with both teams figuring each other out
     
    00:31
    Here we go! It really will be an entertaining match, with SKA hungry to defeat the reigning champions!
     
    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:

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

    Metallurg Magnitogorsk: Koshechkin (Pechurskiy)- Biryukov, Antipin, Platonov, Kovar, Zaripov- Khabarov, Lee, Grigorenko, Brent, Potekhin- Batyrshin, Bereglazov, Kosov, Kamenev, Yakutsenya- Ibragimov, Tereschenko, Pare, Yunkov, Timkin

    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Daniel Picharek, Gleb Lazarev, Eduard Metalnikov.
     
    Last season SKA made the conference semifinals, but Metallurg went all the way taking the trophy to Magnitogorsk.
     
    This will be the first meeting between these two giants this campaign, and both have been imperious. SKA are top of the Western Conference and the overall table with 67 points, whereas the reigning Gagarin Cup champions Metallurg are in first place of the Eastern with 56. Interestingly SKA have scored more than anyone else, 111 goals, and Metallurg have conceded the least, 37.
     
    Good evening and welcome to this KHL regular season match between SKA Saint Petersburg and Metallurg Magnitogorsk. This is a true battle between two titans, and it promises to be some spectacle.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 28. Cervenka (Martensson, Thoresen) – 12. Yakutsenya (Antipin, Batyrshin), 52. Batyrshin (Zaripov)

    SKA St. Petersburg: Ivannikov (Salak)- Ryasensky, Khafizullin, Kovalchuk, Kablukov, Makarov- Y Alexandrov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Tikhonov, Dadonov- Chudinov, Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Cervenka- Barabanov, Ponikarovskiy, Kadeikin, Ketov
    Metallurg Magnitogorsk: Koshechkin (Pechurskiy)- Biryukov, Antipin, Platonov, Kovar, Zaripov- Khabarov, Lee, Grigorenko, Brent, Potekhin- Batyrshin, Bereglazov, Kosov, Kamenev, Yakutsenya- Ibragimov, Tereschenko, Pare, Yunkov, Timkin
    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Daniel Picharek, Gleb Lazarev, Eduard Metalnikov
    Attendance: 12181