Euro Hockey Tour. Czech Republic - Russia - 2:4

The second match of this Euro Hockey Tour stage against the Czech Republic took place for Russia today in Ostrava. Very few changes were made by head coach Oleg Znarok, with only Maxim Karpov coming into the squad. Ilya Sorokin was still in our net, and his opposite number was Dominik Furch.

Just like in Trinec Russia took early penalties, and that allowed the Czechs to take the initiative. Most of the goalmouth action was coming in our zone, and Ilya Sorokin was being called into regular action. Nevertheless the majority of shots were being taken outside the perimeter, and apart from a rasping Lukas Kaspar drive that shaved the left post there was no cause for panic. As the period wore on Russia gradually managed to feel their way into proceedings, and with their first real opportunity they drew first blood. Alexei Bereglazov wristed from the blue line, and Roman Lyubimov poked the puck over the line. That goal seemed to deflate the Czechs, and Alexander Syomin had a great opening for a second – closing down to the high slot, our captain was denied by a sharp Dominik Furch blocker save.

Russia carried that confidence into the second, and Robert Kousal handed us a five minute powerplay for a dirty hit against Igor Ozhiganov. Our players weren’t in a forgiving mood, and captain Alexander Syomin sent an unstoppable wrister into the far corner from the left faceoff circle. The home fans weren’t impressed, and their ferocious support helped the Czech team to take their tempo up. The pressure was becoming incessant inside Russia’s zone, and the woodwork came to our rescue on two occasions. Our players were eventually forced into taking a penalty, and with Artyom Alyaev in the box the Czechs got on the board. Tomas Kundratek took a whack at the point, and the puck crashed into the left corner beyond Ilya Sorokin’s glove.

The Czechs continued pressing in the third stanza, and equalised within three minutes. Jan Buchlete took up the play peeling to the right, and from a tight angle he backhanded into the far corner. The arena was rocking, and Russia were struggling to soak up the heat. They still held a threat on the counter though, and out of the blue they took a third lead. Roman Lyubimov hung behind the net, fed Ivan Telegin, and the CSKA Moscow forward rattled his wrister in off the left post. The hosts were in shock, and they contrived to concede a fourth. Alexander Syomin broke away, his shot was stopped, and an off balance Nikita Gusev knocked it past the stricken goalkeeper. The Czechs had a late six on four powerplay, however our goaltender Ilya Sorokin stood tall to the challenge to guide Russia to a huge 4:2 triumph in the Czech Republic!

Match protocol:

Czech Republic – Russia – 2:4 (0:1, 1:1, 1:2)

Goals:

0:1 Lyubimov (Bereglazov, Svetlakov), 14.23

0:2 Syomin (Gusev), 26.14

1:2 Kundratek (Kaspar, Kempny), 34.20

2:2 Buchlete (Prizbil, Kempny), 42.31

2:3 Telegin (Lyubimov), 50.07

2:4 Gusev (Syomin), 56.14

Goalkeepers: Furch – Sorokin

Shots on target: 32 - 23

Penalty minutes: 25 - 8

13.02.2016. Ostrava, Czech Republic. 

Russian Ice Hockey Federation