KHL
CSKA – SKA St. Petersburg 2:6 (end)
final
CSKA Moscow
2:6 (0:2, 2:2, 0:2)
SKA St. Petersburg
Friday 03.04.2015, 18:30 • LDS CSKA • KHL
     
    There indeed is the final buzzer, and SKA Saint Petersburg have seen off HC CSKA Moscow 6:2 in Moscow to cut the series score right down to one! They were irresistible today, and played on a completely different level. Evgeniy Dadonov and Artemiy Panarin both netted with a double, as Andrey Kuteikin and Anton Burdasov also found the net for SKA. Only Alexander Radulov and Stephane Da Costa could score for CSKA. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more exciting KHL action! (21:05:50)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:30
    The last few seconds are now here, and SKA are on their way to a crucial 6:2 victory away from home!
     
    59:12
    Jan Mursak now steals the puck on the left wing, wrists high, however Mikko Koskinen is all the way behind it to not give up any rebounds
     
    58:33
    Hjalmarsson! The SKA defence forgets all about Simon Hjalmarsson alone moving down to the doorstep, and he's shut down by an alert Mikko Koskinen stop! That's his first serious save of the period!
     
    57:17
    Both sides are now gradually playing out the game with everything decided here, and CSKA's players look flat out on their bench! A huge chance has gone by the wayside for them today!
     
    56:30
    Offside is indicated against SKA. It's going to be an enjoyable last few minutes for them, as they have been on a different planet today than their opponents!
     
    53:34
    Goal for SKA!
    There is that ensuing punishment for the hosts! CSKA immediately cough up the puck, ANTON BURDASOV takes control of it, and has no problem hitting the empty net! It's 2:6! Assists- Nikolay Belov and Patrick Thoresen
     
    53:21
    And shockingly CSKA have opted to take away their goalkeeper for the extra skater! This is a huge risk for them!
     
    53:21
    Not long after coming back to full strength CSKA have taken a timeout. They are going under very weakly today, and their coach wants to install a bit of life into them!
     
    51:20
    Oh dear, just what is going on with CSKA! They are giving up in front of their own fans! The penalties keep on coming, as this time for tripping Mikhail Naumenkov is on his way for a rest as a result of high sticking
     
    50:07
    Kuteikin! Andrey Kuteikin is dished waiting on the blue line, he thumps in a slapper, and Kevin Lalande is solid getting everything behind it to freeze
     
    49:32
    It is going from bad to worse for the forlorn hosts now, and it's going to be a SKA five on three for a short amount of time as Bogdan Kiselevich has been caught delaying the game on purpose
     
    49:05
    Kovalchuk! He really does want his goal! Ilya Kovalchuk takes a whack at the puck from the point, and Kevin Lalande sees it sail inches over the crossbar!
     
    48;16
    CSKA are visabally losing their heads now and they have taken a needless penalty here with SKA on fire! Stephane Da Costa is the guilty party, as he has been punished of slashing
     
    47:04
    Goal for SKA!
    That will surely be that now for SKA! They have a two on one down the right, ARTEMIY PANARIN is fed alone far post, and he one times it in with feeling! It's 2:5! Assists- Vadim Shipachyov
     
    45:56
    CSKA are not back at full strength. They can't afford at all to take any more penalties with such a two goal deficit, it's all playing into SKA's gleeful hands!
     
    45:48
    Kovalchuk! The loose puck pops back out to the high slot, and Ilya Kovalchuk slaps it inches wide of the left post with the goaltender slightly out of position! Had it would of been on target he was sure to score!
     
    43:56
    We have a fight on our hands here, and it has been coming! Igor Makarov of CSKA drops the gloves with SKA's Anton Belov! They don't like each other too much at all, and in the end SKA have been gifted a powerplay as CSKA's forward was handed a 2+2 punishment!
     
    42:04
    Directly at the beginning of this third stanza SKA are doing an excellent job of pressing their opponents all around their own zone with the puck, they will want to hold possession and not give CSKA anything off which to feed!
     
    40:01
    The puck has dropped for the third, and deciding, period! SKA are feeling confident two to the good, while CSKA won't be willing to go away easily!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods of play:

    Shots: 56-28
    Shots on target: 21-16
    Faceoffs: 26-20
    Hits: 15-17
    Penalty minutes: 8-12
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:51
    This pulsating second period is now in its final moments, with that fourth goal giving SKA some priceless breathing space!
     
    39:29
    Goal for SKA!
    What a goal! That was simply amazing! EVGENIY DADONOV sprints in from neutral ice, completely floors his marker, and between the circles he thumps over the goalkeeper's mask! It's 2:4! Assists- Vadim Shipachyov
     
    37:38
    From a practically impossible angle Evgeniy Artyukhin takes a slap at the puck, and stick side Mikko Koskinen has to be careful to not let it slip by him. He is coming under some serious pressure, and has to be fully concentrated!
     
    35:13
    That scare has been survived by the hosts, and they have their full quota of players back out on to the ice
     
    34:23
    Dadonov! That brilliant SKA second line tees up Evgeniy Dadonov on the tip of the crease, and he's stoned by Kevin Lalande! The goaltender did well to get his body in the way!
     
    33:13
    Just after that goal the referee has his arm up again, and it's against CSKA as Evgeniy Artyukhin has been penalised for two roughing fouls at the same time. It won't be a SKA powerplay for four minutes though, as their defenceman Anton Belov has also been called for roughing
     
    32:42
    Goal for CSKA!
    This time there was no stopping that shot! STEPHANE DA COSTA is unmarked on the left flank, and he lets rip an unstoppable wristed effort which sails over Mikko Koskinen's glove! Powerplay goal and it's 2:3! Assists- Igor Grigorenko and Ondrej Nemec
     
    31:30
    Radulov! SKA don't want to leave him on his own! Alexander Radulov wrists when bearing down on to the doorstep, and Mikko Koskinen makes a superb save from point blank range! And seconds later he makes another fantastic stop off a Stephane Da Costa slapper!
     
    30:50
    The visitors have burst their own bubble here though, as their defenceman Maxim Chudinov has been found guilty of tripping his opponent up
     
    30:15
    Goal for SKA!
    SKA can breathe again, they really did need that third goal! Ilya Kovalchuk beautifully sets up the steaming ANDREY KUTEIKIN, and he wrists high into the right corner! It's 1:3! Assists- Nikolay Belov and Ilya Kovalchuk
     
    29:47
    A fight almost breaks out here as CSKA's Igor Makarov goads Anton Belov of SKA, and in the end the referees sent both for a two minute sit down
     
    28:37
    Grigorenko! How didn't that go in! Igor Grigorenko is all alone at the point, and he wrists hard against the bar! SKA's back line is all over the place at the moment!
     
    27:37
    Simon Hjalmarsson digs the puck out from the right boards, takes aim from a challenging angle, and the netminder isn't sleeping with his pads
     
    27:00
    Panarin! Artemiy Panarin cuts in behind to between the circles, wrists with menace, and Kevin Lalande pushes it away with his right pad! SKA are getting it back together now after having earlier conceded!
     
    25:21
    CSKA star Alexander Radulov hangs back at the point, wrists in through traffic, and Mikko Koskinen sees it all the way to hold. And SKA are indeed now back at full strength
     
    24:46
    Roman Lyubimov shields the puck with the backhand on the left, powers his way in, and SKA defencemen do enough to deny him a shooting opportunity
     
    23:38
    Closing down on the right Nikita Zaitsev winds up for a heavy slapper, and the committed Maxim Chudinov gets his back in the way to deflect it up and out of play! That must have been painful!
     
    23:21
    SKA really are under pressure now, they have to try to hold on through this period! They haven't helped themselves now though, as Anton Burdasov has been punished for slashing
     
    22:51
    From the high slot the puck appears to cannon off CSKA's right post! Goaltender Kevin Lalande had no clue where that was, and the referees indicate that the goal didn't cross the line!
     
    22:04
    That could turn out to be a very well needed goal for CSKA, as they have something to start off from! SKA cannot panic!
     
    21:03
    Goal for CSKA!
    Now the LDS CSKA has something to cheer about! ALEXANDER RADULOV skates around on the right faceoff circle, and his wrister is too hot for Mikko Koskinen to handle! Powerplay goal and it's 1:2! Assists- Stephane Da Costa
     
    20:18
    Igor Grigorenko wriggles free of his marker down the left, he slaps with feeling, and Mikko Koskinen gets his pads in the way to kick wide
     
    20:01
    The second frame is go! And remember that CSKA are still on the powerplay for 01:50!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play:

    Shots: 23-13
    Shots on target: 8-6
    Faceoffs: 4-13
    Hits: 11-5
    Penalty minutes: 2-4
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:50
    Just before the first period ends SKA have been called for a rather needless penalty, as for having too many men on the ice they have been called. Captain Ilya Kovalchuk will sit this one out for his team
     
    19:03
    Makarov! That was the second gaping opportunity for CSKA in a matter of seconds! It's a two on one, Igor Makarov is alone, he shoots high blocker side, and he smacks the woodwork!
     
    17:54
    Out of nothing SKA cough up the puck against the right boards, it rolls all the way to the far end of the crease, and somehow Evgeniy Artyukhin pokes it wide! He simply had to score there!
     
    15:44
    Khokhryakov! That was almost the third for the visitors! Pyotr Khokhryakov spins around on the left flank, and appears to smack the crossbar! They are doing what they want on the ice at the moment!
     
    14:45
    The game is being controlled perfectly by SKA at the moment, this really is the start they had dreamed about! CSKA are on the ropes and can't afford to go under so early on!
     
    11:32
    And that goal has indeed prompted CSKA to already make a goalkeeping change, with Stanislav Galimov being pulled in favour of Kevin Lalande! He didn't get into things at all!
     
    11:32
    Goal for SKA!
    Wow, what a start this is for SKA! They're seriously pumped up today! EVGENIY DADONOV speeds away one on one, and goes high glove side on Stanislav Galimov! It's 0:2! Assists- Roman Rukavishnikov and Artemiy Panarin
     
    10:49
    Da Costa! Stephane Da Costa is left alone on the right faceoff circle, he slaps first time, and it cannons off a defenceman's skate and directly on to the doorstep!
     
    09:52
    That goal will be a huge boost to SKA, and they can really start playing their game now! Confidence was needed despite winning the past game in such a dominant style!
     
    08:27
    Goal for SKA!
    That second line is simply on fire! The puck is played around brilliantly to the left of the crease, and ARTEMIY PANARIN cleverly catches the goalkeeper cold far post! Powerplay goal and it's 0:1! Assists- Evgeniy Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov
     
    07:31
    The referee has his arm up again and this time it's against CSKA, as for cross checking their captain Denis Denisov has been sent to the penalty box
     
    05:42
    Not much was created by the hosts during that time, and SKA will be happy to be back at full strength
     
    04:56
    Simon Hjalmarsson has some room for himself down the right, wrists up high, and far post Mikko Koskinen calmly takes it down with his blocker
     
    03:42
    We already have the first penalty of the game and it's gone against SKA, as their forward Evgeniy Dadonov has been penalised for interference
     
    00:55
    SKA's Anton Burdasov spins around on the right, wrists into the slot, and Stanislav Galimov holds on. The visitors will look to hold the initiative today, while keeping solid at the back
     
    00:23
    Here we go! CSKA have a great chance at home to finish the series off, while SKA have to give everything!
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now emerging out on to the ice, and after the Russian national anthem we'll be getting underway!
     
    Starting lineups:

    CSKA Moscow: Galimov (Lalande)- Denisov, Zaitsev, Grigorenko, Radulov, Da Costa- Nemec, Kiselevich, Mursak, Artyukhin, Hjalmarsson- Bondarev, Misharin, Lyubimov, Zharkov, Volkov- Naumenkov, Stas, Mamin, Kvartalnov, Makarov

    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ezhov)- Chudinov, A Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Kovalchuk- N Belov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Khafizullin, Rukavishnikov, Burdasov, Ericsson, Cervenka- Yudin, Barabanov, Ponikarovskiy, Kablukov, Khokhryakov

    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Konstantin Olenin, Dmitriy Sivov, Sergey Shelyanin.
     
    CSKA finished in first place of the KHL regular season, with SKA just behind in second.
     
    The series has much been going CSKA's way so far, as with three wins compared to SKA's one they stand one step away from the next round, They took the first two games at home 3:0 and 3:2 in overtime before then triumphing in Saint Petersburg 3:1, however SKA came roaring back with a 4:1 victory in game four. CSKA made it to this stage by defeating HC Sochi 4:0 and Jokerit 4:0 previously, while today's visitors saw off HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and HC Dynamo Moscow both by a score of 4:1.
     
    Hello and welcome to this KHL Gagarin Cup Western Conference final series match between HC CSKA Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg. This is a do or die game especially for SKA, as they have to keep their Gagarin Cup hopes alive today.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 18:30.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 22. Radulov (Costa), 33. Costa (Grigorenko, Nemec) – 9. Panarin (Dadonov, Shipachyov), 12. Dadonov (Rukavishnikov, Panarin), 31. Kuteikin (Belov, Kovalchuk), 40. Dadonov (Shipachyov), 48. Panarin (Shipachyov), 54. Burdasov! (Belov, Thoresen)

    CSKA Moscow: Galimov (Lalande)- Denisov, Zaitsev, Grigorenko, Radulov, Da Costa- Nemec, Kiselevich, Mursak, Artyukhin, Hjalmarsson- Bondarev, Misharin, Lyubimov, Zharkov, Volkov- Naumenkov, Stas, Mamin, Kvartalnov, Makarov
    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ezhov)- Chudinov, A Belov, Thoresen, Martensson, Kovalchuk- N Belov, Kuteikin, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov- Khafizullin, Rukavishnikov, Burdasov, Ericsson, Cervenka- Yudin, Barabanov, Ponikarovskiy, Kablukov, Khokhryakov
    Referees: Alexey Anisimov, Konstantin Olenin, Dmitriy Sivov, Sergey Shelyanin
    Attendance: 5600