Arlan takes two points after a tough game

After a very tactical game, with many shots on goal but very few real chances, the shootouts determined the winner between Arlan Kokshetau and host Lyon HC with Kazakh team more skilled, earning the first points. In an arena with a lot of empty seats but a passionate crowd, taking advantage from a confusion in front of the cage, Anton Petrov opens the score at 02:52. Lyon, with less quality on the ice, has a brave and aggressive reaction, forcing Arlan to use the penalties to limit the opponent. Despite 5 consecutive powerplay, thus, Lyon doesn’t produce remarkable opportunities, also due the physical style of Kazakhs that makes difficult for home team using the speed of forwards. However, the 15-3 SOG stats after the first period remarks the dominance of home team.

The constant predominance also in the second period finally bears fruit at 32:33 when Arturs Mickevics finds the right hole to deservely beat Ivan Poloshkov. Arlan ends the period trying to reorganize some attack, not a menace for Stojanovic.

After a very balanced third period with few chances, the overtime is thrilled, with two great chances for Lyon, all well blocked by Poloshkov and one for Arlan with Vadim Yermolayev firing on Stojanovic.

At the shootouts Yermolayev shots on goalie, Verbeek and Potaichuk scores, Ankerst has the shot rebounded by Poloshkov , Gasnikov scores, Poloshkov saves on Lavrovs, Malevich scores, Mickevics scores, Borovikov completely misses the puck, but also Correia doesn’t score giving Arlan the first two points

After the game one of the best player of Lyon, Arturs Mickevits admits the team didn't work well on powerplay: "It was a tough game and we knew it, Arlan is a good team, with several players with KHL experience, but we wasted twice a 5 vs 3 situation, that's was our mistake in this game, now we need to rest and be ready for another battle against Gomel."

Lyon coach Mitja Sivic

Also coach Mitja Sivic focuses on the power play: "Tonight we play a good game, with no doubt and the guys did a good job against a strong team, but we need to understand why our power play didn't work.Of course all is still possible with two spots available, we need to stay concentrated and play all the games at our best"

MVP: Ivan Poloshkov – Lubomir Dinda

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