Traktor
- Dynamo Moscow 3:5
Dynamo
had the lead twice and had to come from behind to see Traktor off for the
second time this season. Dynamo's coach
Oleg Znarok, who leads in head-to-head games against Valery Belousov 12:7,
couldn't count on Derlyuk, Kokarev and Soin today, all three currently put to
the IR.
Traktor
aren't doing well this season, it's been a lot more bitter than the last season
that's for sure. Dynamo opened the game better and had a few scoring
opportunities early in the game, but it wasn't until the second period that
they were able to break and light the lamp.
Alexei
Tsvetkov picked up a goal and the assist while Janne Jalasvaara opened the
scoring at 25:12 on the assist from Tsvetkov. At 44:19 Tsvetkov was able to pick
up a goal on the solo effort. Traktor ties the game by the end of the same
minute as Dynamo opened, through Andrei Kostitsyn at 25:56. And before the end
of the second Stanislav Chistov brings the lead to the home side with a
powerplay tally. Evgeny Kuznetsov assisted on both scores.
Dynamo
answers in the same manner as Traktor had on the previous tie, but they're
quicker. Exactly 9 seconds later Konstantin Glazachev, at 37:53, ties the game.
Dynamo
went into the final period of play with dominance and the momentum on their
side, when Alexander Ryazantsev scores early at 41:16, and Maxim Pestushko
confirms it at 59:47. Alexei Tsvetkov's goal at 44:19 proved to be the
game-winner.
Alexander
Yeryomenko finished with 85 SVS% but after having faced only 20 shots and
allowing 3 goals, he couldn't have expected more. Special teams were on fire
today, 3 goals out of 8 occasions, Traktor getting the edge in powerplay goals.
Didn't help them though.
Lokomotiv
- Avtomobilist 5:3
Avtomobilist
has already assured their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while
Lokomotiv is chasing their spot under the Sun. Another 5:3 final, only this
time on the home side. Loko are trying to escape Atlant chasing them with 3
points difference, and Atlant destroying Barys today 5:1 didn't help. But the
Railwaymen did their part of the deal.
Sergei
Konkov scores a goal and adds the assist and Sergei Plotnikov collected 2
assists to help their team cruise to a 5:3 win at home. Last time they met in
September and then too Loko sailed to an easy 4:0 win.
The
keys to the win today were powerplays, Loko went 2 for 3 with the man
advantage, and not allowing their opposition get too many shots on net, Curtis
Sanford faced only 26.
Avto
started out strong and less than a minute into the game were already on the
boards, Alexei Simakov scored his 11th this season.
At
23:00 Andre Deveaux doubles on the assists from Sergei Gusev and Fyodor
Malykhin, the latter recording his 21st in the current season.
Lokomotiv
started to wake up then and with three quick scores turned the game around
before the second break. Sergei Konkov, Emil Galimov and Geoff Platt each got a
goal.
At
45:18 Jonas Holos scores his 6th of the season on the powerplay to deny Tobias
Viklund's tie, by then end proving to be the game-winning goal. Yegor Averin
only finished the job one second before the end, again on the powerplay.
CSKA
- Spartak 2:1
This
one was delicate. Another one in the Muscovian derby series and Spartak,
heavily hit by financial trouble, struggle on the ice as well due to the
situation in and around the franchise. Spartak now continue their agony and are
winless for the 18th time in the row.
To
make things worse, CSKA got the lead through Ivan Nepryayev at 24:38 while they were shorthanded. Spartak fought
back at 35:40 when Tom Wandell ties the game, but Ilari Filppula seals the deal
at 48:39 with his 8th goal this season. Oleg Saprykin getting the assist.
It
was a hard-fought game, clash that was pleasant to watch. Ex-Spartak goalie
Jeff Glass stood between the pipes today and was magnificent. 22 saves, 95.7
saves percentage allowing only one goal to his yesterday's team mates who
should know exactly his style of play. But on the other hand John Torchetti was
aiming for Glass to know everything about the shots he'd face.
According
to some sources from Russia, the KHL will continue to help struggling Spartak
and get them through the season when the most unpredictable summer for the
Russian giant will commence. Some rumors already relegate them to the VHL.
In
other games, Atlant, Severstal and Avangard all won today still seeking their
tickets to the playoffs. Atlant nailed Barys 5:1 leaving them little space to
pose an impact. Sergei Shmelyov hoarded 3 points, 2 goals and an assist, as
well as Igor Radulov who didn't have an assist, but his first goal tonight was
the game-winner. He also finished the Kazakhs off 12 minutes before the end.
Severstal
crushed Yugra 4:1 and continue to hunt Loko together with Atlant to punch the
playoff tickets. Forwards were in the mood today, 4 of them recording 2 points,
but the most efficient were Pavel Chernov and Anatoly Nikontsev scoring twice.
Ak
Bars rallies over Neftekhimik witha huge +4 margin, 7:3 the final score. Points
were once more well distributed while Kirill Petrov got the game-winner, his
14th in the 2013/14 KHL campaign.
Despite
taking the lead as early as in 108th second of the game, Medvescak was crushed
over by Dinamo Riga in Latvia 5:1. The key moment was the shorthanded tally for
Marcel Hossa at 31:56 and a quick release by Roberts Bukarts directly off the
draw at 36:43 bringing the momentum to their side.
Here
are all the results of all today's games:
Ak Bars - Neftekhimik 7:3
Traktor - Dynamo Moscow 3:5
Metallurg Mg - Vityaz 0:2
Salavat Yulaev - Torpedo 2:1 OT
Lokomotiv - Avtomobilist 5:3
Severstal - Yugra 4:1
Atlant - Barys 5:1
SKA - Avangard 4:5 OT
CSKA - Spartak 2:1
Dinamo Riga - Medvescak 5:1
Slovan - Dinamo Minsk 4:3 SO
Lev - Donbass 4:1