MHL. Beyond the shadow of a doubt

For the first time in the season Ivan Bezrukov was moved to the top line to accompany Aleksandr Sharov and Aleksei Zakarlyukin. Ilya Zinovyev who played in the top line during the last game joined Semyon Afonasyevsky and Artyom Melikhov in the third line. Yegor Nazarov replaced Pavel Nechistovsky in the nets.

The game started in usual manner for Belye Medvedi. Our team took the lead in the opening moments of the game – Ilya Zinovyev scored his fourth goal in this regular season. Following this episode, the black-and-white had a great opportunity to score again when Anton Kryukov and Rodion Gaynullin hit the penalty box one after the other, but the score did not change. Chelny, however, converted their power play chance at the hands of Vyacheslav Plotnichkin. Nevertheless, Belye Medvedi finished the first period with the advantage when Semyon Afonasyevsky scored a PP goal and pulled visitors ahead for the second time in this game.

In the second twenty, the opponents showed some stellar hockey, having scored a total of five goals. Vadim Stenyakin began the goalfest five minutes into the period. Then, Semyon Afonasyevsky via an assist from Artyom Melikhov gave Medvedi the lead again. Chelny didn’t want to give up and within the two minute interval tied the game again – Vadim Stenyakin decided to keep up with Afonasyevsky and scored his second goal of the game. It seemed as though the hosts were close to changing the course of the match, but two minors turned into two allowed pucks in their goal. Unquestionable MVP of the game, Semyon Afonasyevsky completed a hat-trick; plus, three minutes before the horn signaling for the end of the second twenty, Yevgeni Nazarkin increased visitors’ lead to two goals.

The final period was pure gamble, although rich in goals, which certainly made the fans happy.Three minutes into the period Chelny and Medvedi exchanged goals within the span of 30 seconds – Nikita Voynov increased Medvedi’s lead, and half a minute later Farkhat Minabutdinov reestablished the two-goal margin. The final goal of the game came at the hands of Ivan Bezrukov who certainly proved his worth in the top line. Seven four, Medvedi victorious. Tomorrow night the opponents will square off in a repeat game.

Game details

CHELNY vs. BELYE MEDVEDI – 4:7 (1:2, 2:3, 1:2)

Goals: Zinovyev, 3 (0:1); Plotnichkin (Stenyakin, Valiakhmetov), 12 (1:1 – PP goal); Afonasyevski (Melikhov, Zhuldikov), 19 (1:2 – PP goal); Stenyakin (Chalyshev, Valiakhmetov), 25 (2:2); Afonasyevski (Melikhov), 29 (2:3); Stenyakin (Chalyshev, Plotnichkin), 31 (3:3 – PP goal); Afonasyevski (Ionin, Petrikov), 36 (3:4 – PP goal); Nazarkin (Voynov, Sevankayev), 37 (3:5 – PP goal); Voynov (Nazarkin), 44 (3:6); Minabutdinov, 44 (4:6); Bezrukov (Zakarlyukin, Sharov), 46 (4:7).

CHELNY
Kosarev;
Stenyakin – Valiakhmetov, Plotnichkin – Kryukov – Chalyshev;
Ismagilov – Zirin, Khanov – Fayzullin – Khannanov;
Nyschyi – Gaynullin, Nadrshin – Ilyin – Minabutdinov;
Remnev, Ignatenko – Demchev – Murzashev – Ibragimov.

BELYE MEDVEDI
Nazarov;
Isayev – Zabavin, Bezrukov – Sharov – Zakarlyukin;
Voynov – Nazarkin, Sevankayev – Tridchikov – Ionin;
Petrikov – Zhuldikov, Afonasyevskiy – Melikhov – Zinovyev;
Volkov, Kulikov – Mogilnikov – Mosharov – Shipin.

Shots: 21 (5+12+4) – 21 (10+7+4).
Faceoffs won: 26 (9+8+9) – 42 (14+10+18)
PIM:18 (8+6+4) – 14 (4+2+8).
PP goals: 2-3.
Senior official: Alexei Shemyakin (Magnitogorsk).

October 19, 2014. Ice Palace, Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia.