Traktor battles back

(1) Traktor Chelyabinsk 3
(2) Avangard Omsk 1
Traktor leads the series 1-0

Traktor Chelyabinsk battled back from an early setback to seize the early initiative in the Eastern Conference final against Avangard Omsk.

A short-handed goal from Evgeny Katichev proved to be the game-winner in a 3-1 success as the regular season champion recovered from the worst possible start. Less than four minutes into the game, Alexander Perezhogin was able to force home the puck after Kirill Lyamin's shot from the blue line was blocked by Michael Garnett.

But as the game crossed the half-way mark, everything changed. Konstantin Panov tied it up on 30:03, then Traktor survived a long period with two men in the sin-bin. One of them, Katichev, emerged on 33:02 and shot his team ahead within seven seconds, just as the second penalty was coming to an end.

Avangard had the better of the final period, but couldn't find a way past Garnett, and after withdrawing goaltender Karri Ramo the visitors were caught out on 59:28 when Stanislav Chistov's empty-netter put the issue beyond doubt.