Traktor overcomes Dinamo Riga and jumps back atop the Eastern conference leaderboard

First period
First period of the contest was somewhat uneventful as both teams gained some steam only towards the middle of the period. Kuznetsov received Ryabykin’s pass from Traktor’s own zone and had a one-on-one chance, but Tellqvist turned the threat aside. Shortly after Kostitsyn hit the post with a backhander; that was all until Dinamo was left three on five. Traktor utilized the opportunity to perfection – Kostitsyn hit a one-timer that found its mark. Traktor could increase the lead momentarily; Kuznetsov made a blind pass to the far post, but Glinkin could not finish his partner’s efforts.

Second period
Traktor dominated the second period, taking almost four times more shots than their opponents (17-5). Four minutes into the period Dugin and Chistov had similar scoring chances, but Tellqvist was sharp on both exchanges. It would remain unknown whether he would have reacted as sharp several minutes later when Yakutsenya charged a furious shot that whistled a little wide. Traktor was not intent on giving Dinamo any surcease; Kuznetsov and Yakutsenya just were not lucky enough in the finishing stages during their moments. Five minutes before the break Valery Nichushkin delivered a candy of a pass to the goal crease; apparently, Dinamo’s defensemen had a sweeter tooth as they intercepted the pass. In the closing moments of the period Dinamo was hot; seconds before the buzzer Jamie Johnson had a breakaway, but Vladislav Fokin made a perfect stick play and stopped the puck, keeping his team ahead before the final break.

Third period
Third period of the contest must have pleased Hitchcock’s fans as there was plenty of suspense on the ice. Three minutes after the starting buzzer Traktor was left shorthanded when Yakutsenya had to commit a foul to prevent a breakaway. Dinamo instantly capitalized; Porejs shot the puck from the blue line and finally made Fokin submit. To Traktor’s credit, the home team did not faze and quickly regained the lead at the hands of Panov. Then the trials and tribulations began for Traktor as Chelyabinsk’s favorite team had to withstand a three-minute two-man deficit; Fokin was flawless during these moments, catching ‘dead’ pucks at least on two exchanges. Traktor coped with the pressure, and the reward then found their heroes; Deron Quint slapped from the blue line, nearly killing Kontiola who was floundering to get to his feet at the far post after a hit. 3:1, Traktor gets a well-deserved victory.

Stats and details

Traktor (Chelyabinsk) vs. Dinamo (Riga) – 3:1 (1:0, 0:0, 2:1)

Goals: Kostitsyn (Belov, Kontiola), 14 (1:0 – PP);Porejs (Galvins), 43 (1:1); Panov (Glinkin, Popov), 46 (2:1); Quint (Kostitsyn), 60 (3:1).

Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Fokin;
Quint – Ryabykin (C), Chistov (A) – Bulis – Kuznetsov,
Belov – Shinin, Yakutsenya – Kontiola – Kostitsyn,
Nesterov – Razin, Panov (A) – Popov – Glinkin,
Nichushkin – Dugin – Karpov.

Dinamo (Riga)
Tellqvist;
Rekis – Galvins (C), Karsums (A) – Johnson – Daugavins,
Lavins – Porejs, Nizivijs– Szczechura – Giroux,
Sotnieks – Carle, Bukarts – Dzerins– Meija,
Ivanans (A) – Bichevskis – Skvorcovs

Penalty Minutes: 12 (2+0+10) - 8 (8+0+0).
Shots: 33 (7+17+9) - 24 (10+5+9).
Faceoffs Won: 30 (11+6+13) - 31 (9+10+12).
Time on Ice: Ryabykin (25:09), Quint (23:37), Belov (20:29) - Porejs (23:18), Galvins (21:55), Sotnieks (21:01).
Power Play Goals: 1-1.
Referees: Vladimir Bukin (Moscow Region), Aleksandr Sergeyev (Zhukovskiy).
Linesmen: Sergey Misyur, Stanislav Raming (both – Yekaterinburg).

December 3, 2012. Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia. Attendance – 6000.