Pilipenko’s late strike wins a thriller for Severstal. September 18 round-up

A late goal from Kirill Pilipenko earned victory for Severstal in a nine-goal thriller against Torpedo. With the teams locked at 4-4, Pilipenko potted his sixth goal of the season in the 58th minute. The play started with Mikhail Ilyin preventing Torpedo from clearing its lines before feeding his colleague for a powerful shot from the right-hand circle that beat Ivan Bocharov short side.

Severstal Cherepovets 5 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod 4 (1-1, 2-1, 2-2)

Wednesday’s only KHL game was rich in sub-plots. For Severstal, it was a chance to join table-topping Lokomotiv on 10 points. For Torpedo, it was a revenge mission after losing 3-0 to this opponent earlier in the season. Meanwhile, for head coaches Andrei Kozyrev and Igor Larionov, it was the latest reunion: before taking the Severstal job, Kozyrev was part of Larionov’s staff at Torpedo.

The game was also rich in action: nine goals, two penalty shots (both converted, and both involving Pilipenko in some form) and 12 penalties, plus a debut goal from new Severstal defenseman Joe Duszak.

The first period saw plenty of penalties – six in total – as both teams struggled with their discipline. Torpedo picked up two minors in the first five minutes, but successfully killed them both. Then Severstal was caught with too many men on the ice and the visitor took the initiative. The teams were back at equal strength, but the momentum stayed with Torpedo and Vinogradov released Nikita Artamonov to open the scoring in the eighth minute.

Given the frequency with which players went to the box, it was no surprise that Severstal’s tying goal came during a spell of four-on-four play. Adam Liska saw two close-range efforts turned away but Vladimir Grudinin was following up to stuff the puck home in the 15th minute.

At the start of the second period, Kirill Pilipenko sent Grudinin through on goal. He was fouled as he attempted his shot and Nikita Korostelyov stepped up for the penalty shot. He converted it with confidence, advancing steadily down the ice before firing past Ivan Bocharov and just inside the post.

Within five minutes there was a penalty shot at the other end after Pilipenko hacked down the goalbound Evgeny Svechnikov. The home forward had two illegal attempts at stopping his opponent and after Mikhail Abramov tied the scores, Torpedo got on the power play. However, Severstal escaped without further damage and regained the lead on a PP of its own. Danil Aimurzin took advantage after Daniil Bokun made a second visit to the box.

Duszak had an assist on that play and the American defenseman added a power play goal at the start of the third period. The former Dinamo Minsk man was making his Severstal debut today, returning to the KHL after playing in the AHL last season with Springfield. However, the two-goal cushion was quickly pulled back: Artamonov scored his second of the game just 75 seconds later.

Then Abramov’s second of the night tied it up at 4-4. This time, the Torpedo forward corralled a rebound in front of the net after Anton Silayev fired the puck in from the blue line. Shortly afterwards, the visitor got another power play but could make little happen with the extra man.

Then came Pilipenko’s winner and a late storm from Torpedo, trying to change its fate. However, not even 14 seconds of six-on-four power play could save the visitor as Severstal got its second win of the season over its rival from Nizhny Novgorod.