League Play-Off

Stadion Kirov
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Foma Churikov kicked off to start the match. After some careless play in the Sochi HC defense, Oleg Abramyan kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Eduard Evdokimov. The Sochi HC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Eduard Evdokimov should have stopped the shot. Daniil Matusevich sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Kirov's Foma Churikov in the 21st minute got a chance for a shot 21st didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sochi HC's goalie prevented a goal. The Sochi HC fans' excitement grew in the 24th match minute when Sochi HC's Daniil Matusevich looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Sochi HC's Eduard Evdokimov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Foma Churikov in the 32nd minute of play. If Oleg Abramyan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 33rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Daniil Osyanin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Daniil Matusevich in the 39th minute of play. If Foma Churikov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Veniamin Donskoy was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 45th minute. Kirov's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Daniil Matusevich stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 55 minutes into the match, Sochi HC's goal looked a bit too open when Foma Churikov came free, but Eduard Evdokimov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 59 minutes, Kirill Schukin mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Kirov and the Sochi HC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After recieving a nice pass, Sochi HC's Roman Tretyakov tried to score from far away in the 60th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Kirov's zone, Danil Utugunov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Daniil Osyanin came out of the goal and Danil Utugunov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. If Oleg Abramyan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Oleg Abramyan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 87th minute. Eduard Evdokimov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Foma Churikov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Daniil Osyanin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Daniil Matusevich, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The Sochi HC players were the happier at the end of the match as they had prevented Kirov from taking control. The game ends in a draw.