2012/2013 Playoffs. Traktor advances to conference semifinals

Traktor played fourth consecutive game without a single change in the line-up.

First period
As befits the decisive game 7, it began in a nervous fashion. Barys started off in a more active way and in the first five minutes had a couple of shots on their resume; Garnett turned aside both of them. Traktor woke up momentarily and pulled ahead; Yakutsenya first missed the goal, but did not lose his focus and seconds later was flawless in sending the puck right between Poluektov’s pads and into the net. The home team was on a spree and tried to end it right there, but Barys held on for the time being. Nonetheless, nothing could save visitors from the masterpiece by Karpov; Maksim outmaneuvered three Barys’ D-men on their blue line and found the net in a one-on-one. To their credit, Barys once again showed incredible toughness and pulled one back before the horn at the hands of Zhailauov.

Second period
Traktor dominated the second period which certainly was reflected on the scoreboard. First Petri Kontiola reestablished the two goal margin five minutes into the period. A bit later on Kuznetsov threatened Poluektov’s net with a couple of close range shots, but the score did not change this time. Barys’ goal looked illogical in the general flow of the game, but still it happened; North American line brought Barys to life when Bochensky converted Boyd’s lateral pass into a dangerous 3:2 on the scoreboard. However, Traktor quickly returned the goal margin to two; Kontiola found a tiny hole between the post and goaltender’s pad. This was not it for the period; Roman Starchenko hit the post; then Deron Quint decided to take it upon himself and finished the attack; and boy did he ever! Poluektov faltered again and was replaced by young Vladimir Kramar shortly before the horn.

Third period
Hanging on to a victory in the third period was as easy as can be, and Traktor did just that, having several chances to increase the lead along the way. Yakutsenya and Kontiola in a two-on-one, Kontiola alone, Popov’s post – none of these three exchanges led to another goal. Once again, in the midst of Traktor’s domination Barys pulled out a goal out of the hat; Pushkaryov was the goalscorer. Five minutes before the buzzer Barys had the only chance in the game to convert a power play; this time Garnett rose and shone, stoically turning away everything Barys threw at him. The game’s ending was nervous; Barys sensed their hopes were slipping away and began being rough. Notwithstanding that, Traktor held on, emerging victorious in what was an evenly fought series. In Eastern conference semis Traktor will have a chance to avenge the last season’s loss as they take on Avangard.

Stats and details

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

Goals: Yakutsenya (Panov, Belov), 6 (1:0); Karpov (Kostitsyn), 14 (2:0); Zhailauov (Krasnoslobodtsev), 16 (2:1); Kontiola (Yakutsenya), 26 (3:1); Bochensky (Boyd), 33 (3:2); Kontiola (Razin), 35 (4:2); Quint (Kuznetsov, Chistov), 38 (5:2); Pushkaryov (Boyd), 52 (5:3).

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

Barys (Astana, Kazakhstan)
Poluektov (Kramar 37:10 – 59:38, 59:49 – 60:00);
Fadeyev – Savchenko, Rudenko – Upper (C) – Starchenko,
Hutchinson – Belyakov, Dawes – Boyd – Bochensky,
Grigoryev – Mnatsyan, Zhailauov – Polishchuk – Krasnoslobodtsev,
Troshchinsky (A), Romanov – Solarev – Pushkaryov,
Rakhmanov.

Penalty Minutes: 2 (0+0+2) - 14 (0+2+12).
Shots: 32 (12+11+9) - 28 (10+7+11).
Faceoffs Won: 33 (10+16+7) - 31 (11+8+12).
Time on Ice: Ryabykin (23:52), Quint (22:30), Razin (20:00) - Hutchinson (21:55), Grigoryev (21:19), Savchenko (19:21).
Power Play Goals: 0-0.

Referees: Konstantin Olenin (Moscow), Sergey Gusev (Serov).
Linesmen: Gleb Lazarev (Perm), Konstantin Gordenko (Ufa).

March 5, 2013. Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia. Attendance – 7500.