Traktor comes up empty 7th time in last eight games

Attacking lines of the team underwent drastic changes as two Ks, Kontiola and Kostitsyn, accompanied Chistov in the first line. A trio of Glinkin, Popov and Kuznetsov (once Traktor top line) constituted the second line. Third line included Valeyev, Sayustov and Kokuyov, fourth line - Zavarukhin, Abdullin, Mokin. The only change made in the defensive lineup was Klimontov replacing Khlystov.

First period
Both teams constructed some good attacking endeavors at the top of the period; first Mokin rolled onto the crease with a Nichushkin-esque play, then Piganovich hit the post. Some time later Traktor acquired their only PP of the game. Despite it came off as auspicious, Traktor lost Yevgeny Kuznetsov who left the ice with the help of his teammates. As a revenge of sorts, visitors rushed forward and squeezed out a goal; Kontiola executed a terrific diagonal pass that was converted by Andrey Kostitsyn. Donbass did not take this lightly and organized a heavy assault on Garnett's net; Traktor goaltender and D-men withstood all the trials and tribulations, and when the time was right, Semen Kokuyov doubled the lead with a blast of a one-timer.

Second period
Yevgeny Kuznetsov only played one shift before leaving the ice surface for good. Throughout the period the opponents played a dynamic game with plenty of attacks from both sides. Closer to the end of the second twenty Traktor concentrated on the defense and successfully fended off all the attacks by Donbass. This continued right up to the horn that signaled the second intermission.

Third period
Five minutes into the period Michael Garnett turned away a close range shot, but, as it turned out, this scoring chance was a precursor of the upcoming goal. Former Traktor #28 Maksim Yakutsenya found the goal with a scintillating wrist shot. Predictably, Donbass realized that there were enough time to save this match and rushed forward. Even though the subsequent power play did not bring any dividends to the hosts, four minutes before the horn Donbass finally tied it up. The habit of upsetting former teammates was preserved and continued further on at the hands of Oleg Piganovich. Two all, overtime. 

OT and shootouts
The opponents concentrated on the defensive end which resulted in penalty shootouts. The winning goal came at the hands of Lukas Kaspar.

Game details

DONBASS vs. TRAKTOR – 3:2 (0:2, 0:0, 2:0, 0:0, 1:0)

Goals: Kostitsyn (Kontiola, Bondarev), 11 (0:1 – PP goal); Kokuyov (Glinkin, Popov), 17 (0:2); Yakutsenya, 45 (1:2); Piganovich (Kaspar, Kolar) (2:2 – PP goal); Kaspar (3:2 – game-winning penalty shot).

DONBASS (Donetsk, Ukraine)
Leighton;
Kolar – Piganovich, Laine – Fedotenko (C) – Wirtanen,
Wilson – Podhradsky, Dadonov (A) – Nedorost – Yakutsenya (A),
Bartulis – Razin, Kiiskinen – Robitaille – Kaspar,
Silnitsky, Toryanik – Varlamov – Zakharov.

TRAKTOR (Chelyabinsk)
Garnett;
Ryabykin (C) – Bondarev, Chistov (A) – Kontiola – Kostitsyn,
Kondratyev – Vasilchenko, Glinkin – Popov – Kuznetsov (A),
Katichev – Borodkin, Valeyev – Sayustov – Kokuyov,
Klimontov – Artamonov, Abdullin – Zavarukhin – Mokin.

PIM: 2 (2+0+0+0) - 8 (2+2+4+0).
Shots: 35 (9+10+12+4) - 17 (8+5+4+0).
Faceoffs won: 37 (11+11+11+4) - 22 (6+10+4+2).
TOI: Podhradsky (25:05), Wilson (23:53), Yakutsenya (22:57) - Glinkin (25:55), Bondarev (24:13), Ryabykin (23:21).
PP goals: 1-1.

December 25, 2013. Druzhba Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine. Attendance - 3937.