Ivanov gives Railwaymen an OT verdict. April 4 playoffs
Many had Lokomotiv as hot favorites in game two of this Gagarin Cup semi-final series. However, Traktor had other ideas. The visitor shrugged off a damaging injury to force overtime in Yaroslavl, but ultimately fell to Georgy Ivanov’s goal in the extras. The teams head to Chelyabinsk on Saturday with Loko up 2-0.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 3 Traktor Chelyabinsk 2 OT (1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0)
Lokomotiv leads the series 2-0
Traktor’s loss in game one was compounded by an injury to goalie Zach Fucale. The Canadian was did not recover in time for tonight’s game, forcing Alexei Zavarukhin to start Sergei Mylnikov. The 24-year-old was very much the understudy in this year’s playoffs, making his first post season appearance in the second period of Tuesday’s game. Earlier, he was used sparingly in the regular season even as the club tried four different netminders over the course of the campaign.
The teams made one unforced change apiece. For Traktor, Nikita Soshnikov replaced Sergei Kalinin, while Lokomotiv’s Yegor Averin came in for Ivan Chekhovich.
Many observers felt that Fucale’s absence would give Loko a decisive advantage in the series. However, the first period of this game gave the lie to suggestions that Traktor was out of contention. The opening frame was hard-fought and evenly-matched, with the teams going to the intermission locked at 1-1.
True, the home team made a strong start and deservedly broke the deadlock in the sixth minute. Artur Kayumov, who yesterday confirmed a contract extension in Yaroslavl, celebrated by finishing off an excellent defense-splitting feed from Maxim Beryozkin. However, Traktor hit back at once. A minute later play was down the other end. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev won possession behind the net and fired the puck from the corner towards Vitaly Kravtsov in front of the net. Kravtsov’s one-timer was too good for Daniil Isayev and the game was tied.
After a surprisingly open first period, the teams tightened up after the intermission. Lokomotiv stifled the visiting offense, and began to apply greater pressure on Mylnikov’s net. Eventually, pressure led to penalties and a five-on-three power play saw Martin Gernat on target in the 34th minute off another neat Beryozkin feed. The Slovak defenseman grabbed his second power play goal of the series to restore Loko’s lead.
Once again, though, the Railwaymen could not assume their expected advantage. Traktor made a lively start to the third period and took the game to the home team in the early exchanges. Lokomotiv matched those efforts and gradually concluded that offense was the best form of defense.
However, the only goal of the stanza came in the 54th minute when Traktor managed to get a spell of possession in the Loko zone. Much of the play was at the perimeter, but eventually the visitor got the puck to Ilya Karpukhin at the point. His first shot was blocked, but the second attempt found the net. Isayev was screened by Alexander Sharov. In the closing stages, both teams took a penalty but neither could find a winner in regulation.
However, the extras did not take long. Although the teams made a cautious start, Lokomotiv got the winner inside four minutes. Alexander Yelesin’s shot from the left-hand point would have been straightforward fell Mylnikov. However, a big deflection off Georgy Ivanov left the netminder hopelessly exposed. The puck flew into one corner while the goalie grasped helplessly at the other and the Railwaymen celebrated the victory.
