League Play-Off

Stadion Sochi
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Nizhny Novgorod's Andrey Gaskoin 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. The supporters of Sochi HC booed when Nizhny Novgorod was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vladimir Ganeshin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Daniil Matusevich sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Denis Nigmatullin kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. Danil Utugunov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 17 minutes into the match, Nizhny Novgorod's goalkeeper Petr Dolzhenko had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Danil Utugunov. In the 24th minute, Arkadiy Nikolaev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 35 minutes into the match, Nizhny Novgorod's goal looked a bit too open when Daniil Matusevich came free, but Petr Dolzhenko reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Danil Utugunov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Petr Dolzhenko read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 40th minute of play. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Daniil Matusevich made the kick off in the second half. The crowd rose to their feet as Andrey Gaskoin kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Eduard Evdokimov. That made the score 0-1 in the 53 minute of play. Veniamin Babanin kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Sochi HC's Danil Utugunov got a free kick in the 64th minute. Timofey Naumov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Daniil Matusevich sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Petr Dolzhenko showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Danil Utugunov in the 74th minute of the match. When Sochi HC's Daniil Matusevich in the 77th minute got a chance for a shot 77th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Nizhny Novgorod's goalie prevented a goal. Danil Utugunov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Petr Dolzhenko read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 79th minute of play. 79 minutes into the game, Vladimir Ganeshin was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Nizhny Novgorod's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Sochi HC the free kick. Vladimir Ganeshin hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. Nizhny Novgorod's Petr Dolzhenko played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniil Matusevich in the 81st minute of play. Andrey Gaskoin's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Eduard Evdokimov read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 84th minute of play. Nizhny Novgorod's Petr Dolzhenko played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Daniil Matusevich in the 88th minute of play. Danil Utugunov hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. During the 92nd minute of the match Arkadiy Nikolaev completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Arkadiy Nikolaev a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. The supporters of Nizhny Novgorod booed when Sochi HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Arkadiy Nikolaev didn't get a good kick on the ball. 94 minutes into the game, Nizhny Novgorod's Timofey Naumov nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Eduard Evdokimov made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2.