2012/2013 Playoffs. Traktor ensures comeback to Chelyabinsk after the first series victory over Barys

Andrey Kostitsyn finally returned to Traktor’s line-up to take his place in the third line along with the demoted Kuznetsov and promoted Glinkin. Therefore, the first line consisted of Chistov, Bulis and Antipov. The fourth line also underwent some changes and consisted of Nichushkin, Dugin and Karpov. Mezin was the substitute goalie.

First period
Power play was the deciding factor in the first period. First off though, the opponents exchanged the attacks by Zhailauovand Shinin; both goaltenders were on guard. A bit later Michael Garnett proved he was not fazed by his lapse in game #2 and made a tremendous save after a close-range shot. Yeremeyev, however, decided not to be outdone and made a great save of his own after Panov’s shot. Soon enough Traktor took the lead for the first time in the series; the triumvirate of Quint,Yakutsenya and Panov constructed a perfect combination, and visitors pulled ahead. However, Traktor quickly lost the momentum and got two unnecessary penalties, one of which was converted into a goal-scoring effort by Konstantin Rudenko. Towards the end of the period Nichushkinmade one of Barys’ defensemen commit a foul; during the power play Yakutsenya could give Traktor the lead, but his one-timer was neutralized by Yeremeyev.

Second period
Traktor took the game under control from the get-go, despite a couple of penalties at the top of the period, and managed to pull ahead; during shorthanded play Yakutsenya and Vasilchenko organized a picture-perfect counterattack, and the latter scored a rare D-men’s goal. Traktor continued to feel themselves at home in the attacking zone; Nichushkincould increase the lead, but could not outsmart Yeremeyev on two exchanges. Barys woke up mid-period; home team’s North American line could tie it up if it wasn’t for Garnett. Five minutes before the buzzer Kostitsyn could make a perfect return for himself with a goal; Yeremeyev was impenetrable. However, that only was for a time being as a minute later Dugin and Karpovexecuted a two-on-one to perfection. Before the horn Barys had a couple of scoring chances, but Garnett showcased his tremendous skills, keeping the goal margin at two before the third period.

Third period
At the top of the final periodTroshchinsky and Vasilchenko had a little brawl and got double minor penalties for roughing. Realizing it was now or never, Barys rushed forward to try to save the match. Traktor held on to the lead and responded with several sharp attacks, but neither Dugin nor Panov and Chistov could seal the deal as Yeremeyev did his best to allow Barys to stay in the game. One of the key moments occurred six minutes before the horn; Troshchinsky could pull one back and revive the nerve of the game, but Garnett was perfect again. Sometime later Traktor killed another penalty and confidently finished the game. 3:1 and 1-2 in the series as Traktor looks for the second away victory tonight. 

Stats and details

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

Goals: Panov (Quint, Yakutsenya), 13 (0:1 – PP); Rudenko (Grigoryev), 16 (1:1 – PP); Vasilchenko (Yakutsenya), 22 (1:2 – shorthanded); Dugin (Karpov), 37 (1:3).

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

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

Penalty Minutes: 12 (6+2+4) - 14 (4+4+6).
Shots: 32 (10+11+11) - 21 (6+10+5).
Faceoffs Won: 36 (13+15+8) - 20 (5+8+7).
Time on Ice: Grigoryev (22:32), Hutchinson (21:07), Novopashin (20:24) - Quint (22:30), Ryabykin (21:36), Chistov (20:38).
Power Play Goals: 1-1.

Referees: Aleksey Anisimov, Andrey Rogachev (both – Moscow).
Linesmen: Viktor Birin, Aleksey Medvedev (both – Moscow).

February 25, 2013. Kazakhstan Sports Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan. Attendance – 4072.

Photo courtesy of Barys’ Press Office