Soccer-like final score and Mezin’s shutout result in a win for Traktor

First period
The first 20 minutes of the game were played at a modest pace. Dinamo thrived in this type of matchup; visitors took a total of 12 shots at Mezin’s goal in the first period. For approximately seven minutes both teams rarely reached each other’s zones. Middle-period Dinamo organized a mini-onslaught in the attacking zone that resulted in Goroshko’s slapshot which was fearlessly blocked by Vladimir Antipov. Soon Kane followed up with a wrap-around, but Mezin was on the watch. Traktor woke up a couple of minutes later – Glinkin stormed into the attacking zone and shot the puck right in the corner, but Lars Haugen made a pad save to keep the score at nil. Dinamo soon got the power play with no positive result whatsoever. Forty seconds before the buzzer referees left Dinamo shorthanded, so the home team began the second period with one-man advantage.

Second period
Traktor could capitalize on the power play momentarily, but twice Kuznetsov could not find the net. Five minutes into the period Mezin came up with two scintillating saves and kept the game goalless. In spirit of reciprocity, Traktor responded with a beautifully constructed attack that saw Yakutsenya charge a shot back first to the net, but Haugen somehow saw that coming and neutralized the threat. Shortly thereafter Kuznetsov presented a pass on a silver platter to Bulis, but Jan could not outsmart Haugen. Traktor did not take the foot off the pedal and got another power play. Gennady Razin was the hero of the moment with his play at the goal crease and a nice deflection that missed the goal. This goal drought could not last for long, and Traktor eventually pulled ahead. Ten seconds before the buzzer when the fans were heading for concession stands, Yakutsenya scored his ninth season goal, giving his team a huge dose of confidence.

Third period
The final 20 minutes of the match did not differ much from two previous periods. Past the five-minute mark Kuznetsov rushed from the penalty box to help the attack, but Kostitsyn decided not to share a puck with his partner, throwing the opportunity away. Visitors could tie the game up halfway through the period when Irgl sent a laser-like pass to Linglet, but Mezin turned the threat away. Leaping ahead, it should be said that Mezin did not allow any goals tonight, even with Dinamo’s six-on-four power play in the end of the match. Moments before the final buzzer Bulis hit an empty-netter to set the final score. 2:0 – Traktor cut the two-match cold streak and hung on to Eastern conference standings lead.

Stats and details

Traktor (Chelyabinsk) vs. Dinamo (Minsk, Belarus) – 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Goals: Yakutsenya (Kontiola, Kostitsyn), 40 (1:0); Bulis (Chistov), 60 (2:0 – empty net).

Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Mezin;
Shinin – Vasilchenko, Yakutsenya – Kontiola – Kostitsyn,
Quint – Razin, Chistov (A) – Bulis – Kuznetsov,
Katichev – Ryabykin (A), Sayustov – Antipov (C),
Nesterov, Glinkin – Popov – Karpov.

Dinamo (Minsk)
Haugen (0:00 – 59:00, 59:43 – 60:00);
Niskala – Karalahti (C), Laine – Stapleton – Platt (A),
Goroshko – Krajicek, Linglet – Stas – Irgl,
Murphy – Denisov (A), Kane – Pavelski – Drozd,
Meleshko – Kitarov – Kulakov.

Penalty Minutes: 6 (2+0+4) - 6 (2+4+0).
Shots: 23 (5+13+5) - 27 (12+12+3).
Faceoffs Won: 20 (4+10+6) - 23 (10+8+5).
Time on Ice: Kuznetsov (22:05), Quint (21:45), Razin (21:37) - Murphy (22:58), Karalahti (22:15), Krajicek (20:49).
Power Play Goals: 0-0.

Referees: Konstantin Olenin (Moscow), Sergey Kulakov (Tver).
Linesmen: Eduard Metalnikov, Aleksandr Sirotkin (both – Samara).

October 31, 2012. Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia. Attendance – 7500.