KHL
Torpedo – SKA St. Petersburg 1:3 (end)
final
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
1:3 (0:1, 0:2, 1:0)
SKA St. Petersburg
Tuesday 03.03.2015, 17:30 • Nagorniy Stadium • KHL
     
    There is the final buzzer, and SKA Saint Petersburg have defeated HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 3:1 to move ahead in the series by the same score! They were so effective going forward today, and thoroughly deserve their win. Tony Martensson, Ilya Kovakchuk and Evgeniy Dadonov netted for SKA, with Alexey Potapov notching up Torpedo's sole reply. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more pulsating KHL action! (19:56:14)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:49
    There has been one last penalty to be called though, as both for roughing Evgeniy Dadonov of SKA and Torpedo's Vladimir Galuzin have been called
     
    59:31
    Torpedo are also now back to full strength, however it's not going to make any difference as SKA are heading towards a huge 3:1 victory on the road!
     
    58:43
    As SKA come back to full strength Mikhail Biryukov has again been pulled for the extra skater! The hosts aren't willing to give up!
     
    57:31
    Mikhail Biryukov is back to his net already though, as Torpedo have taken a horrible penalty! Wojtek Wolski has been penalised for tripping, and he is very angry about that!
     
    57:18
    A timeout has now promptly been taken by the hosts, and netminder Mikhail Biryukov has indeed been pulled for the extra skater! They're going all out!
     
    57:18
    Veli Matti Savinainen speeds down the right, wrists with power looking for the near corner, and at the second attempt the goaltender takes a claim of it
     
    57:01
    From the blue line Torpedo dump the puck into the danger zone, and Mikko Koskinen forces it out of the crease with his right pad! And the referees have whistled on that play, as there was illegal play inside the crease
     
    56:47
    And SKA have now taken a very untimely penalty, all of a sudden they are making this hard work! Forward Viktor Tikhonov has been called for tripping directly under the referee's nose!
     
    56:31
    Torpedo are full of motivation now, and this could prove to be a testing final few minutes for SKA! Mikko Koskinen will be disappointed to see his shutout hopes be chucked out the window!
     
    55:04
    Goal for Torpedo!
    There is that goal for Torpedo! SKA go missing at the back, Mikko Koskinen makes an amazing glove save from the doorstep, however ALEXEY POTAPOV is on hand to pot the rebound! It's 1:3! Assists- Alexey Pepelyaev
     
    54:01
    Dvurechenskiy! Nikita Dvurechenskiy wrists unexpectedly when powering down the right wing, and the puck flies into the side netting near post! That was better from the hosts!
     
    52:20
    Panarin! Talented SKA forward Artemiy Panarin brilliantly twists inside his marker on the right, wrists high, and just misses the crossbar! That would have been a beautiful goal!
     
    52:08
    The home fans inside the Nagorniy Stadium can be heard whistling, they are annoyed with how their heroes are performing! SKA are taking care of the puck expertly, not letting their opponents get anywhere near it
     
    49:08
    Torpedo's head coach Peteris Skudra can be seen shouting at his players on the bench, he really isn't happy at all! His side have been a class below today so far!
     
    47:13
    Naturally both sides have taken a penalty for that fight, with SKA's Dmitriy Kalinin and Veli Matti Savinainen taking a sit down
     
    47:13
    A huge pile up erupts on SKA's crease! The puck is turned over by the visitors, and Mikko Koskinen bails his team out with a huge double save with bodies all around him! And in the aftermath everyone decides to lose their temper with one another!
     
    46:07
    Wolski! Just as SKA come back to full strength Wojtek Wolski is dished at the right hand post, the corner is completely open to hit, however he takes a complete air shot and the chance is gone!
     
    44:07
    He will have a penalty to defend against now though, as SKA's Dinar Khafizullin has been found guilty of slashing
     
    43:30
    Torpedo lift the puck into the attacking zone from neutral ice, and as it takes a bounce off the left boards Mikko Koskinen sweeps it up. He has been solid for SKA so far, and wants to hold on to his shutout!
     
    41:57
    Ermakov! Andrey Ermakov is set up at the blue line, he slaps with serious power, and blocker side Mikhail Biryukov watches it drift not far off target!
     
    41:29
    As Ilya Kovalchuk wrists inches wide of the right post, both teams come back to full strength. The Torpedo fans are looking a bit deflated, as they haven't had a lot to cheer about so far!
     
    40:13
    The puck has dropped for the third period! SKA are well in the box seat, whereas Torpedo need a minor miracle to get back into things!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods:

    Shots: 37-24
    Shots on target: 18-16
    Faceoffs: 31-9
    Hits: 12-7
    Penalty minutes: 8-8
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:34
    As the second stanza is drawing to a close both sides have again been called for a penalty, as for cross checking Gennady Stolyarov of Torpedo has been punished with SKA's Ilya Kablukov being penalised too. SKA have taken over this game, and are going to be hard to catch now!
     
    38:00
    Goal for SKA!
    They are beginning to run away with it now! Torpedo poorly cough up the puck, Artemiy Panarin from the left sets up EVGENIY DADONOV on the doorstep, and the latter punishes the hosts to the full! It's 0:3! Assists- Yury Alexandrov Artemiy Panarin
     
    37:26
    Those two minutes flew by very quickly, and it's a full strength game again now with Maxim Chudinov and Veli Matti Savinainen back in the action
     
    35:48
    Wolski! Torpedo have seriously upped the urgency now! Wojtek Wolski has too much power for the SKA back line, and he's shut down twice by Mikko Koskinen at point blank range! That has got the home crowd going!
     
    35:26
    And it's going to be a four on four hockey game now for a couple of minutes, as SKA's Maxim Chudinov and Veli Matti Savinainen of Torpedo have both been punished for a bit of fisticuffs together
     
    35:26
    Away netminder Mikko Koskinen neatly catches a bouncing puck blocker side from the point. SKA are in firm control now with that second goal, and only have to keep their heads at the back!
     
    33:54
    Goal for SKA!
    That could prove to be a crucial goal for SKA! Jimmie Ericsson tees up ILYA KOVALCHUK on the right faceoff circle, and he thumps it in first time! It's 0:2! Assists- Jimmie Ericsson
     
    33:23
    Icing is committed by SKA. They are attempting to take the sting out of the game at the moment, frustrating Torpedo keeping possession
     
    31:31
    The hosts have survived that scare and are back to full strength. Torpedo are better on the penalty kill today, not letting SKA do what they want with the puck
     
    30:43
    Now Mikhail Biryukov is again called into the action, as he sees a thumping Maxim Chudinov slapper come in from the point and catches nervously
     
    30:05
    Cervenka! That wasn't far away! Clever build up play ends with Roman Cervenka wristing form the doorstep, and the puck travels inches wide of the left post! SKA are so dangerous on the powerplay!
     
    29:31
    SKA will now be going on their second powerplay of this game, as for interference Torpedo's Alexey Potapov has been penalised
     
    28:43
    Viktor Tikhonov makes a dash down the left, backhands from an awkward position, and Mikhail Biryukov watches it drift high of the near post
     
    28:01
    The puck is dumped into SKA's zone from deep, and Mikko Koskinen almost makes a terrible mistake as he stops the puck almost directly on the goal line as it ricocheted off him!
     
    26:47
    The visitors were solid killing that penalty, and are back at full strength. They are reliable defensively so far today, not letting Torpedo get set up in their zone for a prolonged amount of time
     
    25:43
    A feed from the left wing cannons off Ilya Kablukov's skate, and as it's flying around SKA's slot it's whacked clear! The home crowd inside the Nagorniy Stadium are feeling more encouraged as time goes on!
     
    24:47
    SKA are going on the penalty kill now, as their captain Ilya Kovalchuk has been handed a two minute minor for tripping his opponent up
     
    23:18
    Dmitriy Yudin and Evgeniy Ketov thrash the puck into the danger zone from the left hand boards, and on both occasions no one can get on the end of it! Torpedo were caught short there!
     
    22:45
    The pace really hasn't dropped at all since the break, both teams are showing just how pumped they are for this one!
     
    21:01
    Wolski! Wojtek Wolski hacks away for the puck on SKA's crease, and eventually the goalkeeper captures it in his glove! That was dangerous for a moment!
     
    20:31
    The puck is blasted in from net on the blue line, Mikko Koskinen loses sight of it for a second, and he's lucky to have his defencemen bail him out as Torpedo forwards charged in
     
    20:23
    The second frame is go! Torpedo need to up their game, while SKA are doing everything well so far!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play:

    Shots: 10-14
    Shots on target: 4-11
    Faceoffs: 13-4
    Hits: 4-5
    Penalty minutes: 2-2
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:43
    The final seconds of the first period are now here, with SKA in the driving seat as it stands!
     
    17:56
    Away forward Vadim Shipachyov shoots from inside Torpedo's zone, his wrister is threatening to loop over the goalkeeper, however Mikhail Biryukov is on his game to hold
     
    17:20
    The hosts drift offside. Torpedo haven't been able to create many clear cut chances by their opponents' net as yet, while at the back they look vulnerable to SKA's raw power
     
    16:02
    Thoresen! It's a two on two SKA counterattack, Patrick Thoresen is fed at the far right post, and the puck just runs away from him when looking to backhand!
     
    15:18
    SKA are continuing to keep excellent possession of the puck since that goal, they really do look focused on the task at hand today!
     
    13:31
    Goal for SKA!
    There is that deserved breakthrough for SKA! They race away on a pacy breakaway, and from a tight angle on the left TONY MARTENSSON finds the net! It's 0:1! Assists- Patrick Thoresen
     
    13:07
    Despite being on the penalty kill SKA are still doing all the attacking, and they are now back to full strength. Torpedo have only their goalkeeper to thank so far for not being behind!
     
    11:35
    Cervenka! Shorthanded the visitors could have broken the deadlock! Roman Cervenka forces his way through one on one, and fails to beat the goaltender!
     
    11:07
    The referee has his arm up again and this time it's for a penalty against SKA, as forward Ilya Kablukov has been called for high sticking
     
    09:21
    Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev skates past his defenceman out to the left flank, takes aim when off balance, and Mikko Koskinen sees it all the way to take in
     
    07:59
    As Evgeniy Ketov wrists into the goalkeeper's chest from a tight angle on the right Torpedo come back to full strength. SKA are holding the initiative so far, attacking dangerously!
     
    07:18
    Chudinov! SKA are loving shooting from well outside the crease today! Vadim Shipachyov sets up Maxim Chudinov from behind the net, and Mikhail Biryukov beats it away with his pads!
     
    06:20
    Maxim Chudinov takes up the play, skates on to the right faceoff circle, and his effort is taken in by the goaltender near post
     
    05:47
    The first penalty of the game has now been called and it's against Torpedo, as for tripping Alexander Makarov has been penalised
     
    05:24
    The loose puck finds its way to Yury Alexandrov from distance, he opts to thunder it in to, and with no traffic in front of him the netminder catches well
     
    04:39
    Yudin! Dmitriy Yudin is freed up at the point, he goes for a heavy slapper, and Mikhail Biryukov is solid fielding it crouched down!
     
    04:01
    Mikhail Biryukov now holds on to a rising feed across blocker side. He will surely have a lot of work to do, as SKA love to attack with serious power
     
    02:28
    Jusso Hietanen pulls beyond the blue line, slaps with feeling to the right, and Mikko Koskinen kicks it out of danger! There's a real pacy start to proceedings today!
     
    02:23
    And now at the other end Torpedo come so close to taking the lead! The puck bounces up into the air on SKA's crease, no one can grab a hold of it, and after what seems an age Mikko Koskinen freezes! That almost rolled over the line!
     
    01:49
    Martensson! That was a great early chance for SKA! Tony Martensson bursts through one on one, pulls to the left, and is denied by an alert Mikhail Biryukov body save!
     
    00:23
    Here we go! SKA will want to fully take over the series, while Torpedo are highly motivated!
     
    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:

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

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

    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Antonin Jerabek, Viktor Birin, Alexey Medvedev.
     
    Torpedo finished the KHL regular season in a surprisingly low seventh place of the Western Conference, with SKA up in second.
     
    This has been a very up and down series so far, with SKA currently leading 2:1. They won the first game in Saint Petersburg 6:3 before then falling at home 1:2, but they made amends yesterday with a thrilling 4:2 victory in Nizhny Novgorod. Torpedo really do need to win, as losing a second home game would almost seal their fate.
     
    Hello and welcome to this KHL Gagarin Cup first round playoff match between HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and SKA Saint Petersburg. This could prove to be the crucial match of the series, with Torpedo practically having to win.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 56. Potapov (Pepelyaev) – 14. Martensson (Thoresen), 34. Kovalchuk (Ericsson), 38. Dadonov (Alexandrov, Panarin)

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