2013 Governor Cup. Avangard successful in hockey lottery

First period
Both teams showed swift hockey that was definitely appreciated by the fans in attendance and those watching at home. First off Chistov and Baranka exchanged decent shots; then Avangard seized the advantage for a moment, and it was then that Garnett truly saved Traktor on more than one occasion. Shortly after Omsk Hawks got the power play; Kulyash charged his blue-line howitzer, then Pyanov shot from close range - Garnett was flawless. Traktor had to reciprocate, which they did; during the power play for the home team Kuznetsov and the new Cap Panov had goal-scoring chances they failed to convert. Both teams then totally forgot about defense and started a little game of seesaw that had two notable moments - Zherebtsov and Dugin exchanged scoring chances. When it seemed as though the period would end scoreless, 20 seconds before the horn Ilya Mikheyev was nimble on the crease to pull Avangard ahead.

Second period
Despite the cold shower before the break, Traktor did not cave in. The start of the second period continued the trend of the first twenty - chances on goal galore from both sides. Mikheyev and Kontiola began the feeling out process; Perezhogin could double the lead with a stiff slapshot during Omsk's power play - Garnett was plain awesome again. Traktor shook the cobwebs, rolled up the sleeves, and during their own power play came up with three scoring chances; Kuryanov had the most promising of three - no luck. However, Traktor's efforts did not go in vain - Chistov to Kuznetsov, and one apiece on the scoreboard.

Third period
Third period was the cornucopia of goals. Minute 49 - Popov with defenseman on his back pulls Traktor ahead. The next attack Omsk ties it up at the hands of young Vladimir Tkachyov. Ain't no stopping both teams - another young upstart Yevgeny Mozer makes it 3:2 with an accurate shot to the bottom corner. Takingabreather?Notinthislifetime.Three minutes go by, and Panovwraps around the net and delivers a sharpshooter pass to Ryabykin who ties the game at three all. The same minute number 54 - Lauris Darzins, 4:3. Rollercoaster could end right there, but Kulyash was determined to deliver his cannon to the goal, and he did just that two minutes prior to the final horn. Four goals apiece, and, consequently, overtime.

OT and shootouts
Having exchanged a couple of scoring chances, the opponents finally calmed down and took a break. As a result, the fans were treated to a postmatch lottery where Avangard got a little luckier. Traktor gets one point, which should be fine in this game of seesaw. Tomorrow the hosts will take on Neftekhimik.

Stats and details

Traktor vs. Avangard – 4:5 (0:1, 1:0, 3:3, 0:0, 0:1) SO

Goals: Mikheyev (Mozer), 20 (0:1); Kuznetsov (Mamashev, Chistov), 37 (1:1 - PP); Popov (Tsybin), 49 (2:1); Tkachyov (Lyamin, Kvasha), 50 (2:2); Mozer (Mikheyev), 51 (2:3); Ryabykin (Kontiola, Panov), 54 (3:3 - PP); Darzins (Glinkin), 54 (4:3); Kulyash (Syomin, Frolov), 59 (4:4 - PP); Mozer, 65 (4:5 – game-winning penalty shot).
Shootouts: Mozer (0:1), Darzins (0:1 - denied by goaltender), Frolov (0:1 - denied by goaltender), Kuznetsov (0:1 - wide), Tkachyov (0:1 - denied by goaltender), Kostitsyn (0:1).

Traktor (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett;
Mamashev – Bondarev, Chistov – Kuryanov – Kuznetsov (A),
Vasilchenko – Ryabykin (A), Panov (C) – Kontiola – A. Kostitsyn,
Kondratyev – Guskov, Darzins – Dugin – Bulis,
Flyagin – Klimontov, Glinkin – Popov – Kokuyov,
Tsybin.

Avangard (Omsk)
Lassila;
Kulyash – Blatak, S. Kostitsyn – Syomin – Frolov,
Baranka – Pivtsakin, Pyanov – Zherebtsov – Perezhogin,
Valentenko – Yegorshev, Tkachyov – Kvasha – Kalinin,
Lukyanchikov – Lyamin, Mozer – Ivanov – Mikheyev.

PIM: 8 (2+2+4) - 14 (6+6+4).
PP goals: 2-1.

Referees: Sergey Karabanov (Moscow), Yakov Monoshkov (Chelyabinsk).
Linesmen: Yevgeny Yudin, Dmitry Maltsev (both - Chelyabinsk).

August 16, 2013. Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk, Russia. Attendance - 5500.