2012/2013 Playoffs. Moscow, here we come! Traktor will play in Gagarin Cup Finals for the first time ever
No changes were made to Traktor’s line-up compared to game 6.
First period
The match began in a hectic fashion but this did not derail the opponents’ attacking efforts though. First Andrey Kostitsyn performed a great run-through and could pull Traktor ahead – Barulin was on guard; then Zaripov could add the puck into the net after a deflection – Garnett kept the score goalless. Ak Bars then seized the advantage; six minutes into the match Korneyev sent the puck towards the goal where Pesonen skillfully deflected it, but much to the chagrin of Tatneft Arena, it went wide of the net. Mid-period Traktor had their own moment when Yakutsenya was aiming for the top corner, but Barulin saved Ak Bars. Immediately after that Katichev made a save of his own when he didn’t allow Obukhov to hit the net right from the crease. The game of seesaw continued; Garnett turned away the threats posed by Zaripov and Pesonen. Traktor also found something to say – Bulis and Kuznetsov had their chances on goal; Barulin’s reflexes were impeccable. Before the buzzer Ak Bars had a power play chance, but visitors didn’t let their opponents create anything meaningful in the attacking zone.
Second period
Referees were consistent and after Ak Bars played 5-on-4, they gave Traktor a power play at the top of the period; unfortunately for the visitors, Barulin was never seriously bothered during these minutes. Another Ak Bars’ power play ensued, and this time the home team was closer to a goal than ever; Garnett saved his team on several exchanges. Another notable moment occurred when Kostitsyn backed his goalie, stopping Ak Bars’ forward from hitting the empty net. There was no rest for the weary as Traktor was left shorthanded right after the previous penalty expired. However, Kuznetsov’s active play quickly made it a four-on-four game. After Bulis exited the sin bin, Traktor gained a 30-second power play which proved to be more than enough – Kostitsyn kept the puck in the attacking zone and passed it to Quint, Deron then sent it to the far post where Traktor’s wily veteran and Captain Vladimir Antipov expected it and transferred it into the net. Expectedly, Traktor withdrew the attacking forces for a moment, the solo warrior being Nichushkin. Valery didn’t score in this game, but there were others who needed a goal more than he did.
Third period
Throughout the period Ak Bars resembled a wounded animal struggling to stay alive. Zaripov, Medvedev, Pesonen twice – all fell before mighty Michael Garnett. Alas, the goal still happened – six minutes before the horn Pesonen was awarded for his efforts. It seemed as if this goal would roll the game into another overtime dreaded by both teams, but Traktor had another opinion on that. AK-46, Andrey Kostitsyn who has been receiving buckets of criticism lately picked up the puck in the neutral zone, sent it to Kontiola while rushing to the far post. Ak Bars’ defensemen were already in overtime, or at least it would seem this way, since they completely forgot to get Andrey away from their net. As a result, the most criticized player in Traktor gave his team the most important goal in its history 30 seconds before the horn. Traktor advances to Gagarin Cup Finals and for the first time in team’s storied history will vie for the most coveted prize in Russian hockey.
Stats and details
Ak Bars vs. Traktor – 1:2 (0:0, 0:1, 1:1)
Goals: Antipov (Quint, Kostitsyn), 32 (0:1 – PP);Pesonen (Obukhov, Immonen), 55 (1:1); Kostitsyn (Kontiola, Yakutsenya), 60 (1:2).
Ak Bars (Kazan)
Barulin (0:00-59:31);
Korneyev – Nikulin (A), Zaripov – Kapanen – Morozov (C),
Medvedev – Kulyash, Pesonen – Immonen – Obukhov,
Zakharchuk – Khomitsky, Lukoyanov – Tereshchenko (а) – Petrov,
Zherdev – Golubev – Bodrov.
Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett;
Quint – Ryabykin (A), Chistov – Bulis – Kuznetsov,
Belov – Vasilchenko, Kostitsyn – Kontiola – Yakutsenya,
Katichev – Razin (A), Nichushkin – Popov – Antipov (C),
Glinkin – Nesterov – Karpov.
Penalty Minutes: 4 (0+4+0) - 8 (2+4+2).
Shots: 31 (11+11+9) - 23 (9+8+6).
Faceoffs Won: 30 (7+11+12) - 20 (8+5+7).
Time on Ice: Medvedev (26:28), Nikulin (26:21), Kulyash (21:51) - Ryabykin (25:50), Quint (22:26), Bulis (22:15).
Power Play Goals: 0-1.
Referees: Roman Gofman (Moscow), Jyri Rӧnn (Juvӓskulӓ, Finland).
Linesmen: Dmitry Sivov, Sergey Shelyanin (both – Moscow).
April 4, 2013. Tatneft Arena, Kazan, Russia.
Photo courtesy of Ak Bars’ Press Office
First period
The match began in a hectic fashion but this did not derail the opponents’ attacking efforts though. First Andrey Kostitsyn performed a great run-through and could pull Traktor ahead – Barulin was on guard; then Zaripov could add the puck into the net after a deflection – Garnett kept the score goalless. Ak Bars then seized the advantage; six minutes into the match Korneyev sent the puck towards the goal where Pesonen skillfully deflected it, but much to the chagrin of Tatneft Arena, it went wide of the net. Mid-period Traktor had their own moment when Yakutsenya was aiming for the top corner, but Barulin saved Ak Bars. Immediately after that Katichev made a save of his own when he didn’t allow Obukhov to hit the net right from the crease. The game of seesaw continued; Garnett turned away the threats posed by Zaripov and Pesonen. Traktor also found something to say – Bulis and Kuznetsov had their chances on goal; Barulin’s reflexes were impeccable. Before the buzzer Ak Bars had a power play chance, but visitors didn’t let their opponents create anything meaningful in the attacking zone.
Second period
Referees were consistent and after Ak Bars played 5-on-4, they gave Traktor a power play at the top of the period; unfortunately for the visitors, Barulin was never seriously bothered during these minutes. Another Ak Bars’ power play ensued, and this time the home team was closer to a goal than ever; Garnett saved his team on several exchanges. Another notable moment occurred when Kostitsyn backed his goalie, stopping Ak Bars’ forward from hitting the empty net. There was no rest for the weary as Traktor was left shorthanded right after the previous penalty expired. However, Kuznetsov’s active play quickly made it a four-on-four game. After Bulis exited the sin bin, Traktor gained a 30-second power play which proved to be more than enough – Kostitsyn kept the puck in the attacking zone and passed it to Quint, Deron then sent it to the far post where Traktor’s wily veteran and Captain Vladimir Antipov expected it and transferred it into the net. Expectedly, Traktor withdrew the attacking forces for a moment, the solo warrior being Nichushkin. Valery didn’t score in this game, but there were others who needed a goal more than he did.
Third period
Throughout the period Ak Bars resembled a wounded animal struggling to stay alive. Zaripov, Medvedev, Pesonen twice – all fell before mighty Michael Garnett. Alas, the goal still happened – six minutes before the horn Pesonen was awarded for his efforts. It seemed as if this goal would roll the game into another overtime dreaded by both teams, but Traktor had another opinion on that. AK-46, Andrey Kostitsyn who has been receiving buckets of criticism lately picked up the puck in the neutral zone, sent it to Kontiola while rushing to the far post. Ak Bars’ defensemen were already in overtime, or at least it would seem this way, since they completely forgot to get Andrey away from their net. As a result, the most criticized player in Traktor gave his team the most important goal in its history 30 seconds before the horn. Traktor advances to Gagarin Cup Finals and for the first time in team’s storied history will vie for the most coveted prize in Russian hockey.
Stats and details
Ak Bars vs. Traktor – 1:2 (0:0, 0:1, 1:1)
Goals: Antipov (Quint, Kostitsyn), 32 (0:1 – PP);Pesonen (Obukhov, Immonen), 55 (1:1); Kostitsyn (Kontiola, Yakutsenya), 60 (1:2).
Ak Bars (Kazan)
Barulin (0:00-59:31);
Korneyev – Nikulin (A), Zaripov – Kapanen – Morozov (C),
Medvedev – Kulyash, Pesonen – Immonen – Obukhov,
Zakharchuk – Khomitsky, Lukoyanov – Tereshchenko (а) – Petrov,
Zherdev – Golubev – Bodrov.
Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett;
Quint – Ryabykin (A), Chistov – Bulis – Kuznetsov,
Belov – Vasilchenko, Kostitsyn – Kontiola – Yakutsenya,
Katichev – Razin (A), Nichushkin – Popov – Antipov (C),
Glinkin – Nesterov – Karpov.
Penalty Minutes: 4 (0+4+0) - 8 (2+4+2).
Shots: 31 (11+11+9) - 23 (9+8+6).
Faceoffs Won: 30 (7+11+12) - 20 (8+5+7).
Time on Ice: Medvedev (26:28), Nikulin (26:21), Kulyash (21:51) - Ryabykin (25:50), Quint (22:26), Bulis (22:15).
Power Play Goals: 0-1.
Referees: Roman Gofman (Moscow), Jyri Rӧnn (Juvӓskulӓ, Finland).
Linesmen: Dmitry Sivov, Sergey Shelyanin (both – Moscow).
April 4, 2013. Tatneft Arena, Kazan, Russia.
Photo courtesy of Ak Bars’ Press Office
