KHL
Torpedo – SKA St. Petersburg 2:4 (end)
final
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
2:4 (0:2, 2:2, 0:0)
SKA St. Petersburg
Monday 02.03.2015, 17:30 • Nagorniy Stadium • KHL
     
    There is the final buzzer, and SKA Saint Petersburg have taken control of the series 2:1 with a 4:2 victory against HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod away! They really did show their class today, scoring at vital times. Evgeniy Dadonov and Ilya Kovalchuk with braces struck for SKA, with Wojtek Wolski and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev replying for the hosts. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more pulsating KHL action! (20:07:17)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:43
    Here indeed are the last few seconds, with SKA heading towards such an important 4:2 victory away!
     
    59:10
    Salminen! Sakari Salminen has space on the right, goes for a strong slap shot, however it is well off target coming off a lying SKA defenceman's leg! The visitors are showing great commitment during these last moments!
     
    58:27
    And goaltender Ivan Kasutin has now been pulled for the extra skater for Torpedo's last roll of the dice!
     
    57:54
    Torpedo have now taken a timeout, this is one of their final chances today to save this game three!
     
    57:07
    With time now really running down Torpedo are beginning to press a lot harder, although they can't find any decent shooting positions! SKA are solid at the back at the moment!
     
    54:23
    Kazionov! That was a promising opportunity for Torpedo! The loose puck falls at Denis Kazionov's feet, and he can only wrist off target when closing down to the doorstep!
     
    52:16
    It's now a full strength hockey game again. Torpedo look to have given up the ghost now despite being only two down, while SKA are moving the puck about with real class!
     
    51:52
    Kovalchuk! He's looking for his hat trick! Ilya Kovalchuk winds up from the point, and his crashing slap shot is lashed over the crossbar and out of danger!
     
    50:16
    And Torpedo simply cannot stop SKA at all, as they're going on the penalty kill again with Denis Kazionov the guilty party for tripping against Andrey Ermakov
     
    50:00
    Torpedo have got away with that scare, and they are back at full strength. However SKA keep creating chances, and Vadim Shipachyov is denied by a defenceman's stick almost on the goal line! They're being stretched!
     
    48:46
    Cervenka! Just how didn't he score! Roman Cervenka is brilliantly set up to the right of the crease, and he's somehow denied by Ivan Kasutin's glove! It looked to be an empty corner of the net!
     
    47:32
    This game really has been littered by penalties and here's another, as for high sticking Torpedo's Alexey Potapov has been punished
     
    47:06
    It's all gone a bit quiet here at the moment in Nizhny Novgorod, SKA are expertly calming the game down keeping possession excellently
     
    44:52
    Vladimir Malevich and Anton Burdasov now skate back out on to the ice, and we can now continue with 12 players on the ice again
     
    44:41
    Pepelyaev! Alexey Pepelyaev has not one, but two stinging slappers from the blue line, and Mikko Koskinen gets his imposing frame in the right positions!
     
    44:13
    Veli Matti Savinainen makes a dash down the left, however his wrister is too high as it takes a slight deflection powering over the boards
     
    42:52
    It's going to be a four on four game again now, as Vladimir Malevich of Torpedo and SKA's Anton Burdasov have both been punished for roughing against each other
     
    41:41
    Torpedo's Denis Kazionov takes aim blocker side, and Mikko Koskinen is alert pushing it away. He has been solid for SKA today, helping the team out when they were in danger of caving in
     
    40:23
    The third and crucial period has begun! SKA have to keep their concentration at 4:2 up, while Torpedo won't be willing to give up at all!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods:

    Shots:
    Shots on target: 21-25
    Faceoffs: 34-18
    Hits:
    Penalty minutes: 14-14
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:58
    The final seconds of a thrilling second period are now upon us, with SKA again in the box seat two goals to the good!
     
    39:15
    Sakari Salminen beats his opponent for pace on the right wing, powerfully wrists looking for the far corner, and Mikko Koskinen is happy to watch it fall not too far wide at all
     
    38:03
    The Torpedo home fans seem in complete shock inside the Nagorniy Stadium, their team have thrown away the initiative! It remains to be seen if they can come back into things again!
     
    35:54
    Goal for SKA!
    Just how this game has turned on its head! All of a sudden SKA are back in control! EVGENIY DADONOV strips his marker of the puck, and one on one he brilliantly finds the net! It's 2:4! Assists- Vadim Shipachyov
     
    35:48
    Goal for SKA!
    Wow, just how good are these two teams on the powerplay! ILYA KOVALCHUK whacks in a slap shot from the left faceoff circle, and he comes up trumps! Powerplay goal and it's 2:3! Assists- Maxim Chudinov
     
    35:44
    Thoresen! Patrick Thoresen wrists once from the right flank, again when taking up his own rebound, and Ivan Kasutin gets his body in the way on both occasions!
     
    35:04
    The referee has his arm up here again and it's against Torpedo, as Sergey Bernatskiy has been sent for a sit down as a result of hooking
     
    34:06
    Chudinov! Maxim Chudinov is set up lurking on the blue line, he slaps, and at the second attempt Ivan Kasutin dives on it to freeze!
     
    32:39
    Both teams have finally run down those penalty minutes, and with this anyone's to take Torpedo join SKA at being at full strength
     
    31:45
    Mikko Koskinen is completely unsighted with Torpedo forwards all around him, and he shows good agility running out of his goal to pick up the loose rolling puck
     
    31:15
    Galuzin! The puck is worked to the right hand boards, Vladimir Galuzin one times it, and near post Mikko Koskinen is on his game to take claim of it!
     
    30:39
    The visitors have been let off slightly though, as for slashing Torpedo's Veli Matti Savinainen has also been handed a two minute minor
     
    30:18
    Shorthanded Jimmie Ericsson sneaks through one on one, but as he's denied by Ivan Kasutin he slashes the netminder! SKA are falling apart as it's a Torpedo five on three!
     
    30:06
    And incredibly SKA have taken another penalty during that goal, as Patrick Thoresen has been penalised for tripping! Torpedo are going for it so hard!
     
    30:06
    Goal for Torpedo!
    There is that equalising goal, and there has been a feeling that it was coming! It's a Torpedo two on one down the right, and far post VADIM KRASNOSLOBODTSEV beats the flailing Mikko Koskinen! Powerplay goal and it's 2:2! Assists- Nikita Filatov
     
    29:24
    The puck simply will not leave SKA's zone! Torpedo have all of a sudden got the wind between their tails, and are skating with such speed all over the ice!
     
    29:06
    Torpedo's power has enduced another penalty out of the under fire SKA, as now young defenceman Andrey Ermakov has been found guilty of tripping
     
    27:51
    Icing is committed by SKA. The visitors have relaxed somewhat after that excellent first period, and they are coming under significant pressure in their own zone!
     
    27:22
    Goal for Torpedo!
    That should give Torpedo some life! The puck thunders off the boards behind the net, and WOJTECH WOLSKI on the right faceoff circle catches Mikko Koskinen unawares! Powerplay goal and it's 1:2! Assists- Jarkko Immonen and Alexey Pepelyaev
     
    27:01
    Mikko Koskinen strongly kicks away a very powerful effort from between the circles with his left pad! That was hit with feeling!
     
    26:12
    Torpedo are now going on their first powerplay practically out of nothing, as Evgeniy Ketov has been punished for high sticking
     
    26:01
    Nikita Filatov lashes the puck across from the right wing, and Veli Matti Savinaninen is inches away from getting a touch on it! SKA defencemen did well to unbalance the Torpedo forward!
     
    24:59
    SKA captain Ilya Kovalchuk breaks into Torpedo's zone, wrists unexpectedly when passing the blue line, and the home fans are relieved to see it drift well off target!
     
    23:53
    A rising slapper cannons in from the left faceoff circle, and Mikko Koskinen sweeps it into his glove solidly. Torpedo are now upping the pace, they know that they have to take the initiative!
     
    23:13
    Vladimir Malevich has a wrister comfortably caught from distance, and a big pile up ensues! Torpedo's Alexey Potapov drops the gloves with Evgeniy Dadonov of SKA, and both are off to the penalty box for roughing!
     
    22:36
    The puck is chucked into Torpedo's zone from the blue line, and the goaltender isn't sleeping as he catches it almost in his stomach
     
    21:48
    Thoresen! Patrick Thoresen wrists with real power from a difficult angle on the right, and Ivan Kasutin shows alert reactions to kick it wide of the far post!
     
    20:51
    Veli Matti Savinainen makes a dash down the left flank, backhands when covered, and Mikko Koskinen has a job taking that down under his spell!
     
    20:18
    The second stanza is go! SKA have Torpedo exactly where they want them, although the hosts have a lot more to give!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play:

    Shots: 5-18
    Shots on target: 2-15
    Faceoffs: 15-8
    Hits: 5-12
    Penalty minutes: 6-2
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:40
    The first period is now already drawing to a close, and SKA have been masterful so far with the game going just as they would have wanted!
     
    18:13
    Goal for SKA!
    There is that craved second goal for SKA! ILYA KOVALCHUK lets rip from the blue line, and it's just too hot for Ivan Kasutin to handle! Powerplay goal and it's 0:2! Assists- Patrick Thoresen
     
    17:37
    The penalties keep on coming and it's another against Torpedo, as talented forward Nikita Filatov has been spotted for high sticking against his opponent
     
    17:11
    Both sides are now back to full strength, as Wojtech Wolski and Patrick Thoresen both skate out from the penalty box
     
    16:18
    Cervenka! Roman Cervenka forces his way through one on one, however he is shut down by Ivan Kasutin's glove two times! The Torpedo goalkeeper is keeping his team in the game at the moment!
     
    15:23
    Kalinin! Dmitriy Kalinin slaps against Ivan Kasutin, and the powerful rebound from Nikolay Belov is also stoned by the goaltender! That was a sharp couple of saves!
     
    15:11
    And it's now going to be a four on four hockey game for a couple of minutes, as Patrick Thoresen of SKA has been called for slashing with Torpedo's Wojtech Wolski being guilty of roughing
     
    15:11
    Sakari Salminen pulls back to the blue line, and his slap shot is pushed out by Mikko Koskinen's left pad! The whistle had just been sounded though, as there was illegal play inside the goal crease!
     
    13:41
    SKA are looking after the puck a lot better now when with it, they look more confident! The Nagorniy home crowd however has fallen silent somewhat
     
    12:32
    Goal for SKA!
    That's a very important deadlock breaker for SKA! Clever and patient build up play tees up EVGENIY DADONOV on the doorstep, and he makes no mistake! Powerplay goal and it's 0:1! Assists- Artemiy Panarin and Vadim Shipachyov
     
    10:59
    The first penalty of the game has been called here and it's against Torpedo, as for hooking forward Alexey Potapov has been penalised
     
    09:40
    Ketov! Evgeniy Ketov bursts onto the slot from a tough angle on the right, a goalmouth scramble erupts, and Anton Burdasov just can't force it in! That was close!
     
    09:08
    Ivan Kasutin sees a dump from deep roll into his crease, and he takes charge of the situation. Not many shots on goal are being seen, as both sides are weighing each other up
     
    05:41
    Nikita Dvurechenskiy takes aim from the left faceoff circle, the puck bounces back on to the danger zone, and Mikko Koskinen shows his big frame effectively as to kill the play dead!
     
    05:30
    SKA skate away on a pacy breakaway, spread the puck to the right, and Andrey Kuteikin's heavy slapper is fielded by Ivan Kasutin near post
     
    04:33
    Anton Burdasov strips his opponents of the puck behind the net, pulls to the right post, however the goalkeeper reacts in time to get a hold of his wraparound
     
    03:45
    Khafizullin! Dinar Khafizullin winds up at the blue line, smacks hard, and sees the puck come off a defenceman directly on the goal line! Goaltender Ivan Kasutin was already helpless!
     
    02:38
    Icing is committed by Torpedo. The hosts have begun with real energy here, throwing themselves around the neutral zone with gusto
     
    01:05
    SKA defenceman Dinar Khafizullin has the first shot on goal, as from the point his wrister is deflected up and over the crossbar
     
    00:46
    Here we go inside the Nagorniy Stadium! Whoever wins today is going to have a huge chance of taking over this series!
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now being presented to the expectant crowd, and after the Russian national anthem we'll be getting underway!
     
    Starting lineups:

    Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod: Kasutin (Biryukov)- Pepelyaev, Hietanen, Filatov, Galuzin, Krasnoslobodtsev- Blazhievskiy, Bernatskiy Salminen, Immonen, Wolski- Malevich, Alyaev, Mozer, Dmitriy Kazionov, Stolyarov- Makarov, Denis Kazionov, Potapov, Savinainen, Dvurechenskiy

    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ezhov)- N Belov, Kalinin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Cervenka- Kuteikin, Khafizullin, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Chudinov, A Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Tikhonov- Ermakov, Yudin, Burdasov, Kablukov, Ketov

    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Antonin Jerabek, Viktor Birin, Alexey Medvedev.
     
    Torpedo finished in only seventh of the Western Conference during the KHL regular season, with SKA all the way up in second.
     
    This always promised to be a nervy series, with both of these teams boasting players of the highest quality. SKA won the first game in Saint Petersburg 6:3, before Torpedo came roaring back with a 2:1 away win which makes it 1:1 in the series overall. Torpedo do now have home advantage, while SKA will feel that they have enough power to wrestle control of the series back.
     
    Hello and welcome to this KHL Gagarin Cup first round playoff match between HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and SKA Saint Petersburg. This is a crucial game, with the series very delicately poised.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 28. Wolski (Immonen, Pepelyaev), 31. Krasnoslobodtsev (Filatov) – 13. Dadonov (Panarin, Shipachyov), 19. Kovalchuk (Thoresen), 36. Kovalchuk (Chudinov), 36. Dadonov (Shipachyov)

    Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod: Kasutin (Biryukov)- Pepelyaev, Hietanen, Filatov, Galuzin, Krasnoslobodtsev- Blazhievskiy, Bernatskiy Salminen, Immonen, Wolski- Malevich, Alyaev, Mozer, Dmitriy Kazionov, Stolyarov- Makarov, Denis Kazionov, Potapov, Savinainen, Dvurechenskiy
    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ezhov)- N Belov, Kalinin, Kovalchuk, Ericsson, Cervenka- Kuteikin, Khafizullin, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Chudinov, A Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Tikhonov- Ermakov, Yudin, Burdasov, Kablukov, Ketov
    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Antonin Jerabek, Viktor Birin, Alexey Medvedev
    Attendance: 5600