One goal does it all

Seven D-men and 13 forwards constituted Traktor’s lineup for this game. Artyom Penkovsky left for the U20 Russia training camp, therefore, Fakhrutdinov was put in the third line to replace Artyom. Gubarev, Kruchinin and Kokuyov constituted the fourth line.

Traktor looked better throughout the first twenty and created several sure-fire scoring chance. Four minutes in the game, Nikita Bespalov virtually guaranteed himself a spot in the Top 10 league’s save list with a highlight reel save after a shot by Glinkin. Anton had a similar chance a few minutes later, but Bespalov was once again the better man. After the mid-period mark Sibir earned a terrific opportunity with a two-man advantage, but only one shot reached Garnett during these two minutes.

The second twenty went on in a much more slow-paced fashion. Despite quite a few body checks, there was the only penalty during these twenty minutes. Traktor got that distinction and was able to put on a decent PP performance, but Bespalov looked unbeatable. Same, however, can be said about Garnett who did not allow anything in.

Clearly, one goal would decide this game, and this goal was scored by Deron Quint; Q shot the puck toward the goal, and, after a strange bounce, the rubber found the top corner of the net, completely discouraging Bespalov in the process. Sibir went full throttle, but all the attempts on goal were stopped by the impeccable Michael Garnett. Even when he was unable to save visitors, Sibir players missed the mark. The final onslaught by the hosts was fended off by outstanding defensive work from the black-and-white. Traktor earns an important victory and inches closer towards the playoffs zone.

Game details

SIBIR vs. TRAKTOR – 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:1)
Goals: Quint (Davydov, Popov), 44 (0:1).

SIBIR
Bespalov (0:00 – 58:48);
Hersley – Alekseyev, Enlund (A) – Koskiranta – Ullström;
Mamashev – Ozhiganov, Monya – Bobrov – Kopeikin (C);
Gimayev (A) – Ignatovich, Shumakov – Gubin – Sannikov;
Belov, Butuzov – Voroshilo – Shalunov.

TRAKTOR
Garnett;
Quint – Borodkin, Panov (A) – Bulis (A) – Chistov (C);
Kondratyev – Piganovich, Glinkin – Pestunov – Popov;
Davydov – Atyshov, Fakhrutdinov – Osnovin – Ruzicka;
Martynov, Gubarev – Kruchinin – Kokuyov;
Zavarukhin.

PIM: 2 (0+2+0) – 6 (6+0+0).
Shots: 35 (16+7+12) – 23 (8+8+7).
Faceoffs won: 27 (12+8+7) – 27 (10+9+8).
Hits: 14 (4+8+2) – 13 (7+5+1).
Shots blocked: 7 (3+4+0) – 3 (2+1+0).
TOI: Enlund (22:18), Koskiranta (19:57), Ullström (19:43) – Quint (21:17), Piganovich (19:18), Chistov (18:39).
PP goals: 0-0.

Referees: Sergei Kulakov (Tver), Ildar Safiullov (Nizhnekamsk).
Linesmen: Dmitri Golovlyov (Naberezhnye Chelny), Ivan Nazarov (Moscow).

December 8, 2014. Sibir Sports Arena, Novosibirsk, Russia. Attendance – 6811.