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Lokomotiv in front in Metallurg semifinal
Published 23 March, 2009, 20:06
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl took a 2-1 lead in a best of seven series in the KHL semi-finals against Metallurg, upsetting the hosts in Magnitogorsk.
The score in the series was level at one-all after two matches in Yaroslavl. Metallurg won the opener 3-0, but Loko had their revenge, thrashing the visitors 6-1 in game two.
Metallurg put Lokomotiv under pressure from the very beginning. The guests had to play six minutes short-handed during the first ten minutes of the game. Magnitogorsk scored in the middle of the half, but the goal was disallowed by the referee.
This didn’t hold back the hosts, however, who eventually went in front after 12 minutes. Magnitka’s best scorer Czech Jan Marek snapped the puck past goalkeeper Georgy Gelashvili.
Metallurg couldn’t maintain the score till the break as Lokomotiv recaptured the initiative. Ilya Gorokhov, who was assisted by Dmirty Semin and Ivan Tkachenko, evened the game, 1-1.
Yaroslavl didn’t waste any time in the second period. Former NHL superstar Aleksey Yashin upset the packed Metallurg Arena after just 38 seconds played, notching the score 2-1.
The guests increased their lead at the end of the period with the help of Zbynek Irgl. Loko was on power play after Jan Marek was sent to the penalty box for stabbing, 3-1.
Metallurg coach, Valery Belousov, substituted the keeper ahead of the third period – Ilya Proskuryakov stepped in for Belarusian Andrey Mezin.
The hosts got one back with nine minutes to play as Tomas Rolinek converted the power play, making it 3-2. Their hopes of taking the game into overtime were shattered five minutes later. Proskuryakov couldn’t keep his goals safe after an effort by Aleksey Vasilyev, pushing ahead 4-2.
Lokomotiv has taken a 2-1 lead in the series, with the next game to be held in Magnitogorsk on March 24.
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