Much needed victory in Moscow

Klimontov returned to the lineup and took his place in the third pair, replacing Guskov who was sent over to constitute the fourth pair along with Flyagin. Osnovin replaced Sayustov as fourth line center; Bulis and Chistov swapped lines.

First period
Katichev mowed down three opponents to set the tone for the period. Shortly after Kokuyov and Zubov exchanged scoring chances that did not bring the needed early goal to any team. Then Chistov created another chance that was thwarted by Stana's skillful handling of the stick. All in all, Traktor looked better throughout the first twenty and appropriately pulled ahead at the hands of Andrey Kostitsyn. Hosts were a bit flabbergasted and could not regain themselves for some time. All they could do before the horn was Nemirovski's chance on goal.

Second period
Traktor once again dominated the starting moments of the period and quickly made it two zip - the nominal Traktor's first line for the night constructed another goal - this time Dugin was the perpetrator. Understandably, CSKA kicked it into another gear; Garnett held off the attackers in Fedorov and Nemirovski. During shorthanded play Traktor once again showed why they are one of the best PK teams in the league. Two penalties somewhat overthrew the pace of the game. The next noteworthy moment came about three minutes before the buzzer - Panov was trying to catch Stana off guard - CSKA goalie persevered. Hosts responded with a hot chance on goal by Shirokov, but Garnett at the very last second dragged the puck off the goal line.

Third period
Traditionally, Traktor began the third twenty in a dominant fashion. Kontiola hit the other side of the post trying to get the puck to an empty corner. Then a major blunder occurred - Ryabykin got sent off to the lockers for boarding that exterminated Denisov. CSKA could not benefit from five-minute power play - Traktor confidently thwarted any attempts on goal. Midway through the period Kokuyov and Guskov checked whether Stana was still in the game - Czech goalie gave a definitive answer, saving CSKA on two exchanges. Nonetheless, hosts pulled one back and revived the seemingly dead intrigue. One minute prior to the horn Stana headed to the bench, but CSKA was not able to salvage the game as Kostitsyn tallied an empty-netter and his second goal of the night. 3:1, Traktor stops the cold streak and heads to Europe for Czech-Slovak tour.

Game details

CSKA vs. TRAKTOR – 1:3 (0:1, 0:1, 1:1)

Goals: Kostitsyn (Ryabykin, Kontiola), 11 (0:1); Dugin (Kostitsyn, Kontiola), 21 (0:2); Shirokov (Pervyshin, Filppula) 56 (1:2 - PP goal); Kostitsyn (Glinkin), 60 (1:3 – en).

CSKA (Moscow)
Stana (0:00 – 55:15, 55:17 – 59:05, 59:55 – 60:00);
Denisov (C) – Goncharov, Shirokov (A) – Filppula – Zubov,
Pervyshin – Misharin, Zharkov – Prokhorkin – Grigorenko,
Naumenkov – Markov, Lyubimov – Fefelov – Saprykin,
Zaynullin – Fedorov – Nemirovski.

TRAKTOR (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett;
Vasilchenko – Ryabykin (A), Dugin – Kontiola – Kostitsyn,
Bondarev – Kondratyev, Chistov (A) – Bulis – Panov (C),
Klimontov – Katichev, Glinkin – Kuryanov – Mokin,
Guskov – Flyagin, Valeyev – Osnovin – Kokuyov.

PIM: 4 (2+2+0) - 33 (0+4+29).
Shots: 32 (6+14+12) - 16 (5+7+4).
Faceoffs won: 35 (7+16+12) - 24 (6+9+9).
TOI: Pervyshin (27:40), Misharin (26:01), Goncharov (21:58) - Kontiola (20:09), Kondratyev (19:18), Bulis(19:17).
PP goals: 1-0.

Referees: Vladimir Balushka (Slovakia), Eduard Odins(Riga, Latvia).
Linesmen: Eduard Metalnikov, Aleksandr Sirotkin (both - Samara, Russia).

October 9, 2013. CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia.

Photo courtesy of CSKA Press Office