League Play-Off

Stadion Murom
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Murom's Vadim Delnov started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 4 minutes into the match, Podolsk HC's goal looked a bit too open when Vadim Delnov came free, but Vitaliy Stepanischev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Denis Lokk made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Pavel Zheltov in the 6th minute of play. The supporters of Podolsk HC booed when Murom was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 8 match minutes in a wonderful position. Boris Ermakov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Mark Sychev came free with the goalkeeper in the 12th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Vitaliy Stepanischev could save by the left post. A collision led to Murom getting a freekick after 17 minutes play. Moisey Petuhov hit a great ball. Vitaliy Cherkudinov made a great header on Podolsk HC's corner, it was just that Murom's Denis Lokk managed to reach the ball for a save. Mark Sychev's late challenge caught a Podolsk HC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Mark Sychev helped the player get up and apologised. After 20 played minutes Murom got a freekick which was hit by Mark Sychev. Vadim Delnov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 26th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 27th minute, Timofey Vnukov got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Denis Lokk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Timofey Vnukov in the 32nd minute of the match. The long shot by Zahar Getmanov in the 39th minute really tested Vitaliy Stepanischev's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Pavel Zheltov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Denis Lokk tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 43rd minute, Timofey Vnukov managed to get in a good position for a shot. Podolsk HC's supporters rose to their feet, but Timofey Vnukov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Denis Lokk breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Timofey Vnukov in the 63rdth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Denis Lokk, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. When Moisey Petuhov fell near the penalty area in the 65th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Murom's protests and gave Moisey Petuhov a yellow card for diving instead. Denis Lokk acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 66th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Vitaliy Cherkudinov. Pavel Zheltov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Denis Lokk tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 73 minutes into the game, Roman Sitnikov was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Podolsk HC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Murom the free kick. A collision led to Podolsk HC getting a freekick after 73 minutes play. Roman Sitnikov hit a great ball. Mark Sychev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 74th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vitaliy Stepanischev having to interfere. 86 minutes into the game, Timofey Vnukov cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Denis Lokk was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. A collision led to Podolsk HC getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Rustam Kusurov hit a great ball.