2012/2013 Playoffs. Traktor one step closer to the edge of the abyss

Traktor’s third and fourth line underwent changes prior to the match as Dugin and Nichushkin went to the third line while Popov and Glinkin were ‘demoted’ to the fourth one.

First period
Both opponents began the match in a cautious manner until minute number six when Dawes took a shot, then took another one that found the net. Traktor quickly punched back when in the very next attack Valery Nichushkin hit the bottom corner of Yeremeyev’s net to tie the matchup. Couple of minutes later Kuznetsov gave his team a power play chance and could have single-handedly pulled Traktor ahead but failed to convert a one-on-one. Then Kuzya passed the puck to Chistov whose slapshot was bravely blocked by one of Barys’ defensemen. After Traktor’s flurry of offence Barys pulled ahead again when Dawes scored a carbon copy of his first goal. Valery Belousov had to replace Garnett withFokin. Traktor had a couple of chances before the break; the one that is worth special mention is Quint’s mind-boggling miss from close range when Barys’ net was already empty.

Second period
Next 20 minutes was the worst for Traktor in this series despite an auspicious start. Kontiola seemingly sent the puck right under the bar; referees waited for the next game stoppage, then went to see the replay to eventually allow the goal. Traktor rushed forward, smelling blood, and had several great scoring chances; Bulis was stopped by Yeremeyev,Kontiola missed the goal by a whisker. And then the disastrous six minutes came about. Traktor’s evil genius Nigel Dawes scored Barys’ and his third and fourth goal. When it seemed that nothing could have gone worse than it already had Aleksey Litvinenko found the net with a vicious slapshot. 2:5 as Traktor was staring into the abyss with 20 minutes to go in the game.

Third period
Traktor had several power plays at the top of the period, but neither of them brought the goal that the home team needed so much. Six minutes into the periodNichushkin did all by himself to pull one back for Traktor. Traktor jacked up the pace, and Barys had to resort to several minor infractions. Traktor was on fire during these moments, but the puck just couldn’t find the way into the net. One minute prior to the horn Belousov pulled the goalie while Barys was penalized again; but even with two-man advantage did not bring anything substantial. 3:5; Traktor heads to Kazakhstan with zero in W column and a glitter of hope on the horizon.

Stats and details

Traktor vs. Barys – 3:5 (1:2, 1:3, 1:0)

Goals: Dawes (Bochensky), 6 (0:1); Nichushkin (Antipov), 6 (1:1); Dawes (Boyd), 11 (1:2);Kontiola (Yakutsenya, Nesterov), 23 (2:2 – PP); Dawes (Boyd, Grigoryev), 29 (2:3 – PP); Dawes (Bochensky, Boyd), 31 (2:4); Litvinenko, 35 (2:5 – PP); Nichushkin (Kontiola), 46 (3:5).

Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett (Fokin 10:29 – 58:55);
Quint – Ryabykin (A), Chistov – Bulis – Kuznetsov,
Belov – Vasilchenko, Panov (A) – Kontiola – Yakutsenya,
Katichev – Razin, Antipov (C) – Dugin – Nichushkin,
Nesterov – Shinin, Glinkin – Popov – Karpov.

Barys (Astana, Kazakhstan)
Yeremeyev;
Hutchinson – Novopashin, Rudenko – Upper (C) – Starchenko,
Grigoryev – Fadeyev, Dawes – Boyd – Bochensky,
Litvinenko (A) – Savchenko, Aleksandrov – Polishchuk – Krasnoslobodtsev,
Troshchinsky (A), Spiridonov – Solarev – Rakhmanov.

Penalty Minutes: 8 (0+6+2) - 18 (4+4+10).
Shots: 41 (12+7+22) - 16 (5+8+3).
Faceoffs Won: 36 (10+13+13) - 22 (9+8+5).
Time on Ice: Kuznetsov (23:30), Quint (22:55), Ryabykin (22:33) - Savchenko (24:57), Grigoryev (21:15), Starchenko (18:51).
Power Play Goals: 1-2.

Referees: Aleksandr Cherenkov (Moscow), Aleksandr Sergeyev (Zhukovsky).
Linesmen: Stanislav Pavlov, Aleksandr Sadovnikov (both – Moscow).

February 22, 2013. Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia. Attendance – 7500.