Spartak still falling, Medvescak expectedly
07 Jan 2014 | Alan Ilijic
Again only two games on schedule in the KHL, Donbass and Medvescak win at home.
Donbass - Spartak 3:2 OT
A pair of goals through the first two periods gave Donbass the lead over the struggling Spartak. Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Evgeny Dadonov scored in a span of 66 seconds - the first at 19:47 and the latter at 20:53.
Spartak woke up in the final frame of the game. They started pressuring the opposition and it paid off in the end. Pavel Medvedev first stroke a tally into the back of the net with a solo effort five minutes before the end of the game. Oleg Kvasha levelled the score at 58:37 on the assist from Viktor Bobrov and took the game into overtime.
Evgeny Dadonov got his second point of the night as he assisted for Maxim Yakutsenya who was able to break through and give Donbass the second point. Dadonov had his 13th assist and Yakutsenya his 13th goal this season on the play.
Michael Leighton had a record of 88.2% in saves percentage, but only due to allowing two goals on 17 shots.
Medvescak - Dinamo Minsk 4:1
Medvescak needed a win to close the regular season in Dom Sportova, their home arena. They move to the Arena Zagreb for the next three home games, after they get back from another trip to Russia.
Medvescak started strong, they were on offense throughout the first period but just couldn't find a way to score past Lalande. He succesfully deflected all 10 shots, while Barry Brust had to face only 6 of them, and let one in. Midway through the period, at 12:40 Andrei Stas stole the puck in the defensive zone and went all the way to the other end though the left alley and beats Brust from the circle.
The Bears knew they had to beset Dinamo, and take the three points today. So, they started playing hockey. And by the end of the second period they had turned the result. First Jonathan Cheechoo stroke a blast one-timed from the slot as Charles Linglet, a former Dinamo Minsk forward, fed from the right. And then, less than 20 seconds before the end, Sasa Martinovic fires one up from the blue, the puck deflects off Hugh Jessiman by the left circle, and bounces off like a tennis ball, fooling Lalande and crossing the line into the net.
Another pair in the third gave the home side the decider. Matt Murley at 42:32 from a severe angle and Mark Popovic at 49:12 sealed the deal for the Croatians.
Charles Linglet had two assists, and a game-high 2 points, together with Sasa Martinovic, while BArry Burst allowed only one goal on 25 shots, enough for 96 SVS%.