Czech Hockey Games. Czech Republic - Russia - 3:4 SO

The senior Russian national team completed their Euro Hockey Tour campaign with a match against their Czech hosts. Head coach Oleg Znarok made a number of changes for this game, notably scratching Tampa Bay Lightning trio Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov. Ilya Sorokin was given a start between the pipes.

It was a slow start to the fixture, with both teams focusing on defence. The Czechs were the more threatening, forcing netminder Ilya Sorokin into a few tricky close range saves. Unfortunately, with the first period drawing to a close, the hosts made the breakthrough. Tomas Hyka was the scorer, taking advantage of a lucky ricochet off the end boards.

Russia improved in the second stanza, equalising just two minutes in. Vadim Shipachyov broke down the left wing, teed up Evgeny Dadonov and his HC SKA Saint Petersburg did the rest. That gave our players confidence, but the Czechs promptly retook their lead as Jan Kovar's pass was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Anton Belov.

With it all to do, Russia took the initiative in the third frame. Ivan Provorov made it a tied game with a pinpoint effort from distance, however the Czech Republic once again had a response. Jan Kovar twisted to the doorstep, aiming a fierce wrister past Ilya Sorokin. The third Czech goal came with only seven minutes remaining, but on a late powerplay, Russia managed to force overtime. Mayhem broke out on the Czech crease, allowing Nikita Gusev to sweep Vadim Shipachyov's brilliant pass into the net.

After a scoreless overtime, it went all the way to penalty shots. Russia's quality told, as Ilya Sorokin made the key saves with Evgeny Dadonov and Nikita Gusev scoring! 4:3, Russia earn a tough victory!

Match protocol:

Czech Republic - Russia - 3:4 SO (1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 0:0 - 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 Hyka (Sulak), 18.07

1:1 Dadonov (Shipachyov), 21.29

2:1 Kovar (Radil), 24.00

2:2 Provorov (Telegin), 50.58

3:2 Kovar (Radil), 53.12

3:3 Gusev (Dadonov, Shipachyov), 57.40

3:4 Gusev, 65.00

Goalkeepers: Mrazek - Sorokin

Shots on target: 25 - 16 

Penalty minutes: 6 - 4 

30.04.2017. Czech Republic.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation