Traktor defeated in Nizhny Novgorod
First period
Traktor
had a considerable advantage throughout the period, even though it was not
reflected in the stats, namely the amount of shots (16:11). To get ahead of
ourselves, Traktor managed to capitalize on this advantage. At the top of the period
Traktor had two power plays but could not quite generate any scoring chances
except for Antipov missing the empty net. Soon enough Traktor got another power
play which swiftly turned into five-on-three for the home team. Torpedo fail to
build upon this opportunity though; in the meantime, Traktor rebounded nicely
and was able to score what they call a locker room goal; 21 seconds before the
buzzer Maksim Karpov took a shot, and the puck found a nook between Koval’s
pads.
Second period
Kostitsyn could make it a 2:0 game right off the bat; Koval neutralized the
threat. The very next shift Torpedo tied it up; in a sharp counterattack
Aleksandr Semin converted Varnakov’s pass into a goal. The trials and tribulations
for Traktor did not end at that as the visitors once again had to fight through
two-man advantage, which Traktor did not pull off successfully this time; Petr
Schastlivy was the one celebrating a goal when the puck took a deflection from
Katichev’s stick and hit the top corner. Several minutes later Traktor had a
two-on-one, but Torpedo’s defenseman thwarted Chistov from taking a shot at the
very last second. Both teams then exchanged goal-scoring opportunities, but the
respective goaltenders kept the score intact.
Third period
Traktor had four power plays during the period, but none of them led to
anything substantial. In the interest of fairness, referees gave Torpedo two
power play opportunities. Garnett stoically averted all dangers and gave his team
a glimpse of hope in this match. Unfortunately, it was not to be; despite all
the efforts, Traktor remained goalless in the third while Torpedo tallied an
empty-netter to cap off the win.
Stats and details
Torpedo (Nizhny Novgorod) vs. Traktor (Chelyabinsk) – 3:1 (0:1, 2:0, 1:0)
Goals: Karpov, 20 (0:1); Semin (Allison, Varnakov), 22 (1:1); Schastlivy
(Varnakov, Semin), 26 (2:1 – PP); Varnakov (Allsion), 60 (3:1 – empty net).
Torpedo (Nizhny Novgorod)
Koval;
Tyulyapkin – Hietanen, Smolanek – Makarov – Thörnberg,
Volchenkov – Bykov, Varnakov (C) – Allison – Semin,
Vasiliev – Yevseyenkov, Zainullin – Gorbunov – Ugarov,
Valuyskiy – Schastlivy – Potapov.
Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett (0:00 – 59:17, 59:45 – 59:51, 59:57 – 60:00);
Shinin – Belov, Kostitsyn – Bulis – Yakutsenya,
Ryabykin (A) – Quint, Chistov – Kuznetsov – Karpov,
Razin – Katichev, Panov (A) – Dugin – Antipov (C),
Klimontov – Mukhachev, Glinkin – Popov.
Penalty Minutes: 14 (6+0+8) - 12 (4+4+4).
Shots: 38 (16+13+9) - 26 (11+7+8).
Faceoffs Won: 48(19+13+16) - 33 (8+14+11).
Power Play Goals: 1-0.
Time on Ice: Hietanen (23:01), Allison (20:49), Varnakov (20:34) - Ryabykin
(24:27), Quint (24:14), Kuznetsov (23:07).
Referees: Yakov Deyev (Moscow), Vladimir Nalivayko (Minsk, Belarus).
Linesmen: Aleksandr Zakharenkov, Roman Menshikh (both – Moscow).
December 23, 2012. Nagorny Sports Palace, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
Attendance – 5000.
Photo courtesy of Torpedo’s Press Office