Severstal wins clash of the Steelmen

Metallurg Magnitogorsk 1:4 Severstal Cherepovets (1-0, 0-2, 0-2)

The clash of the Steelmen saw Metallurg melt on home ice, despite taking an early lead against Severstal. The visitor snapped a three-game losing streak and won a little breathing space in the battle for the Western playoffs, while the home team continues to struggle for form. Magnitka has not won back-to-back games since Oct. 14 when it completed a five-game streak.

Metallurg was able to bring back several players returning from the injured list, including Czech forward Andrej Nestrasil. The home team began the game at a good tempo, helped by an early power play, and dominated the first period. However, not for the first time, goals were at a premium: despite controlling the play, only Bogdan Potekhin’s goal separated the teams at the intermission.

Early in the second, Severstal got two power plays in quick succession and that shifted the balance of play. Metallurg killed the first penalty but the second saw Alexander Petunin tie the game. Things got worse for Magnitka when defenseman Maksim Matushkin put Severstal in front: the defenseman scored his first goal for his new club into the net of his previous KHL team.

When the teams last met, Severstal blew a 3-1 lead to lose 4-5 at home. This time, though, Andrei Razin’s players made no mistake. Two more power play goals in the third period — Artyom Gareyev and Vladislav Kodola on target — settled the outcome.