League Play-Off

Stadion Norilsk
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Illarion Smertin made the kick off which started today's match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Illarion Smertin in the 3rd minute of play forced Norilsk HC's goalkeeper Pavel Tetushkin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Pavel Tetushkin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Illarion Smertin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Efim Aleinikov in the 6th minute of play forced Irkutsk HC's goalkeeper Boris Sherstov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Nikolay Chernovitov during the 6th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Irkutsk HC's Nikolay Chernovitov got a free kick in the 7th minute. Boris Sherstov had in the 9thth minute some difficulties stopping Emil Kobyla's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his right side, but he still managed to hold the ball 9 minutes into the match, Emil Kobyla dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Boris Sherstov, 1-0. Mikhail Nikolaev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Pavel Tetushkin having to interfere. In the 22nd minute, Rustam Ulyashev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Boris Sherstov stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Efim Aleinikov's shot from short distance in the 25th minute. When Illarion Smertin came up free with the goalie in the 33rd minute, the Irkutsk HC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Illarion Smertin couldn't finish the play. Pavel Tetushkin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mikhail Nikolaev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Norilsk HC's Pavel Tetushkin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nikolay Chernovitov in the 43rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Illarion Smertin in the 45th minute of play forced Norilsk HC's goalkeeper Pavel Tetushkin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Paramon Musaev kicked well hit freekick during the 46th minute of the match. In the 47th minute of the match Emil Kobyla sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Boris Sherstov skillfully saved the ball. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Efim Aleinikov was the one to do the kick off. Efim Aleinikov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Pavel Tetushkin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nikolay Chernovitov in the 56th minute of play. Illarion Smertin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mikhail Nikolaevs short, quick shot in the 60thth minute got Pavel Tetushkin to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 65 minutes into the game, Kirill Avdeev recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Pavel Tetushkin. Kirill Avdeev showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-1. Irkutsk HC's Illarion Smertin got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. A collision led to Irkutsk HC getting a freekick after 71 minutes play. Nikolay Chernovitov hit a great ball. After 77 played minutes Irkutsk HC got a freekick which was hit by Kirill Avdeev. In the 78th minute of the match Emil Kobyla shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Boris Sherstov showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Klim Kravchuk sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Efim Aleinikov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Boris Sherstov having to interfere. Pavel Tetushkin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Illarion Smertin in the 88th minute of the match. In the 93rd minute, Nikolay Chernovitov left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Irkutsk HC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. The Norilsk HC supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Irkutsk HC's performance. The match ended with a win for Irkutsk HC.