Hard-won victory for Olimp
Latvian champion stays with perfect record by beating a brave Valk Tartu in the last minute
After the loss of Ferencvarosi, Olimp has the
golden chance to stay alone at the top of standing before the last round, while
it’s already the last call for Valk Tartu, hammered in the opening game despite
a good start. Estonian team has defender Ivan Troshkov suspended after the
major penalty called for the charge on Ferencvarosi forward Kulmala. The first
period flows sleepy without emotions, Valk, as in the game against
Ferencvarosi, shows a good technique and physical presence on the ice, while
Olimp has certainly a more competitive roster, with experience and class.
Sandis Mezaraups from short distance shots on
goalie Bunin in the first chance of second period, before Valk opens the score with
Dmitri Kuznetsov perfectly finishing a counterattack, beating goalie Zakrevskis.
Olimp has a strong reaction, bombarding Bunin cage from long and short distance,
finding the Russian goalie always reactive. Valk shots more frequently but
especially from the medium range the players are inaccurate. While Olimp seems
not be able to score despite the more pression, Valk manages to double the
score at 35:53 with Harri Koll netting a rebound after a shot from Stefan
Garanin. As in the previous night, it’s again veteran Pujacs to reopen the game
finding the net from the blue, courtesy of Andrei Bunin not securing the puck.
The goal reanimates the Latvian champion, able to tie game before the siren:
Sandis Grinbergs finds the right hole to beat Bunin from short distance.
The Valk goalie pays the bad final of period
and is replaced by Juri Bahturin in the third. But the new goalie is not
perfect when Sandis Grinbergs pushes the puck in the net for the 3-2 Olimp at 47:06.
When Latvian team seems to pack the victory, Valk ties game finishing with Ivan
Akimov’s one-timer a power play. With a minute left, Kriss Lipsbergs hits the
post and in the same action, Olimp finds the game winning goal with Kirils
Tambijevs. Tartu pull the goalie suffering the fifth goal empty ney with
Mikaelis Redlihs