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| These jerseys will utterly be missed (photo via Third String Goalie) |
HC Lugano 6 - Adler Mannheim 3
Goals! Goals! Goals! It started four-and-a-half minutes into the game, as a scramble in from of the net resulted in Brett Raedeke poked home a loose puck. There was a bit of controversy midway through the first, as Marcus Kink leveled Stefan Ulmer with a late hit. Kink was not given a penalty, while Ulmer left the game and did not return, putting Lugano down a defenceman. It didn't help that minutes later Ryan MacMurchy would streak down the wing and score, putting the German squad up 2-0. Lugano's best chance came late in the period, as Fredrik Pettersson's breakway chance was stopped by Dennis Endras. Even though the shots for the first period read 9-8 for Mannheim, they significantly outplayed Lugano in the opening period.
Once Lugano killed the penalty they started with in the second, they turned up the pressure against Mannheim. The early pressure didn't work, as they could not beat Endras. MacMurchy would score his second of the game a little later, as his shot beat Elvis Merzlikins' blocker. Lugano caught a break moments later, as they were given a powerplay after Danny Richmond's hooking call negated an excellent chance. Pettersson's point shot would be deflected on its way pass Endras, as Lugano would finally get on the board. Three minutes later, Damien Brunner would add another for the Swiss squad, as he tipped home a point shot from Gregory Hofmann. Just over a minute left in the period, Pettersson would score on another point shot, tying the game at 3-3.
Ice issues delayed the beginning of the third. When it did start, it looked like Mannheim forgot how to play, as they looked sloppy in the early going. This opened the door for Lugano to take the lead. Tony Mattensson's cross-crease pass found Linus Klasen, who scored on an open net to put Lugano up 4-3. Klasen struck a minute later, as he intercepted a pass, went in on a breakaway, and beat Endras with a deke to the backhand. MacMurchy had a great chance moments later, but was stopped by Merzlikins. Both teams would swap chances as the period went on, but neither managed to find the back of the net. Alessio Bertaggia had a breakaway near the end of the game, but was stopped. He did get the last laugh though, as he buried an empty netter. HC Lugano went on to win the opening game 6-3.
Players of the game: Fredrik Pettersson (HCL), Ryan MacMurchy (MAN)
Pettersson help start the Lugano offence. He had two goals and an assist in this game, along with a few other chances. MacMurchy made things happen for Mannheim during the game. He scored twice, had multiple other chances, and drew a penalty.
Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg 1 - Team Canada 2
It started a bit slow, but the action would go back and forth. The best chance early on came courtesy of Matt Ellison, but could not bury his chance. Penalties by Canada and Yekaterinburg allowed for some four-on-four action, where Matt D'Agostini had a few great chances. Derek Roy (who committed one of those penalties) also got a chance when he stepped out of the penalty box, but was stopped. Ellison had a few more chances later in the period, but again could not finish. Canada would finally catch a break, as Sam Carrick's shot bounced off a defender's leg and past Igor Ustinsky. IT was reviewed as it was at the very end of the period, but it ultimately stood, as Canada went into the intermission up 1-0.
There wasn't too many chances early in the second, as both teams had trouble gaining attacking zone. Canada had two powerplays, but could not do much with them. Yekaterinburg, on the other hand, managed to not only kill off both penalties, but they scored while shorthanded. A mishandled pass by Canada set up Alexander Torchenyuk on a partial breakaway. He managed to fend off Alexandre Giroux and beat a sprawling Drew MacIntyre to tie the game. Canada would find themselves back in the lead minutes later, as Cory Conacher received a beautiful saucer pass from Derek Roy, skated in, and beat Ustinsky with a backhand. It looked like Yekartinburg would tie the game late in the period, but the whistle would blow before Artyom Gareyev poked the loose puck into the net. The score would remain 2-1 in favour of Canada as the period ended.
Yekaterinburg came out in the third pressuring for a tying goal. They soon found themselves in penalty trouble though, as they took three consecutive penalties (giving Canada a two-man advantage twice). Their penalty kill was on point though, as they managed to escape unscathed. Canada had a few chances to extend their lead later in the period, but Cory Emmerton was stopped on a breakaway and a 3-on-1 chance ended on a failed pass. Yekaterinburg fought for a tying goal, but in the end came up short. Team Canada hung on to win 2-1.
Players of the game: Igor Ustinsky (AVT), Matt Ellison (CAN)
I don't think the score of this game is as close as it is without Ustinsky. He performed admirably for Yekaterinburg, making quite a few key stops to keep his team in it. For Canada, it felt like Ellison was in on 90% of the chances they had. His line (with Derek Roy and Cory Conacher) played really well.
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