Adam Liska's double sinks Lada as Severstal win 4-3 in Cherepovets

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Seven goals, ten penalty minutes for one bench and two for the other, and a lead that was handed back and forth three times. The Ice Palace in Cherepovets got the full package: Severstal Cherepovets 4-3 Lada Togliatti, settled twelve minutes from the end.

Severstal were ahead inside the first minute, Ivan Podshivalov finishing off Danil Veryayev's work for 1-0. Nikita Setdikov levelled at 16 on Vladimir Butuzov's pass, and the sides turned around at 1-1. The second period then produced four goals: Ruslan Abrosimov at 25 (Makar Fomin), Ivan Savchik at 31 (Arsen Taimazov), Adam Liska at 33 off Vladimir Grudinin, and Ivan Zinchenko's equaliser at 39 (Vladislav Leontyev). 3-3, and everything still to play for.

The third period was shorter on goals and heavier on consequences. At minute 48 Liska struck again, Dennis Yan providing, and 4-3 held. Lada spent the closing stretch in the sin bin: Arsen Taimazov punished at 48, Ivan Zinchenko at 59, Ivan Savchik at 60 — five minors and ten penalty minutes against the visitors, against one for Severstal. The hosts went 2-for-4 on the power play; Lada converted their solitary chance, 1-for-1.

Liska's line tells the game: two goals, one assist — a hand in three of Severstal's four goals, three shots, zero penalties. Grudinin's two assists from the blue line, Alexander Samoilov's 20 saves and Andrei Mishurov's 18 frame the goaltending duel. For Lada, Savchik's goal and assist was the brightest note on a night spent shorthanded.

Outshot by one, out-penalised by eight minutes — and still the home side kept the extra margin. Discipline has a price, and Lada paid it in Cherepovets.