League Play-Off

Birobidzhan
Spectators: 38 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Nikolay Belozerov started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. With 20 minutes on the clock, Felix Kozlov commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. In a very dangerous position, a player in Izhevsk HC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 19th minute. Penalty! Erofey Savonenkov went to the wrong direction when Eduard Kulikov was taking care of the penalty kick which however missed the goal. Artur Gordeev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 31st minute the ball was on its way in behind Izhevsk HC's goalkeeper Erofey Savonenkov, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 33 minutes into the match, Artur Gordeev had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Oleg Hamatnurov. Birobidzhan HC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Artur Gordeev was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. Andrey Mordovtsev recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 39th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 42nd minute, Artur Gordeev managed to get in a good position for a shot. Izhevsk HC's supporters rose to their feet, but Artur Gordeev was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Oleg Hamatnurov breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Artur Gordeev struck a weak shot in the 45th minute. Oleg Hamatnurov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Izhevsk HC. The Birobidzhan HC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Izhevsk HC were winning 0-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Andrey Mordovtsev made a kick off. The supporters of Birobidzhan HC booed when Izhevsk HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Stanislav Tolkalin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Erofey Savonenkov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marat Splendarinskiy, who was totally free with the ball in the 62nd minute. Marat Splendarinskiy struck a weak shot in the 66th minute. Erofey Savonenkov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Birobidzhan HC. 68 minutes into the game, Birobidzhan HC's Andrey Mordovtsev nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Erofey Savonenkov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Andrey Mordovtsev blasted a shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Erofey Savonenkov having to make a save. After having played for 79 minutes, Marat Splendarinskiy managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Birobidzhan HC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marat Splendarinskiy was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 92nd minute, Marat Splendarinskiy left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Birobidzhan HC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. 95 minutes into the match, Izhevsk HC's goal looked a bit too open when Marat Splendarinskiy came free, but Erofey Savonenkov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Izhevsk HC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.