Week review

The tournament table and other statistics here.

On 25.01 Metallurg Magnitogorsk beat Ak Bars Kazan 2:0. The second goal was scored in the empty net by Metallurg’s goalie Ilya Proskuryakov :-) A situation like this happened for the first time in KHL.

In one match one of the leaders Atlant beats one of the other leaders – SKA St. Petersburg 2:1, in the second – Atlant loses to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 1:5. Other interesting results: Khimik – Amur 5:2 on January 28, but on January 30 Amur beat Avangard Omsk with a same 5:2 (!) – Avangard lost the first game without its ex-head coach Wane Fleming, who has left the team. The clubs new trainer will be Igor Nikitin ‘till the end of the season.

The biggest results of the week were an 1:6 for Dinamo Minsk against Atlant (24.01), Vityaz – Dinamo Moscow 0:6 (27.01), Ak Bars – Traktor 6:2 (28.01), Dinamo Riga – CSKA also 2:6 (29.01), Lokomotiv – MVD 7:2, Severstal – Atlant 0:6 (both – 30.01).

Saturday's round was full of unexpected results: MVD won CSKA 2:0; Heftekhimik and Lada crushed their opponents - Magnitogorsk's Metallurg 5:1 and Ufa's Salavat Yulaev 5:2 correspondingly; Avangard Omsk finally organized a big win - 7:1 over Sibir. Only Spartak's (against Dinamo Minsk 2:0) and Dinamo Moscow's (against Torpedo 4:2) wins seem logical enough.

If tomorrow’s the play-off…

(1) Salavat Yulaev – Severstal (16)
(2) Ak Bars – Neftekhimik (15)
(3) Lokomotiv – Lada (14)
(4) CSKA – Torpedo (13)
(5) Atlant – Dinamo R (12)
(6) Metallurg Mg – Avangard (11)
(7) Dinamo M – Traktor (10)
(8) SKA – Spartak (9)

Now there's going to be a break in the KHL. The games will resume on February 11.

Dinamo Riga vs.

CSKA Moscow

29.01.09

2:6

Dinamo Riga - CSKA 2:6 (2:4, 0:2, 0:0)

Goals:

1:0 - 00:41 Mark Hartigan (Aleksandrs Nizivijs, Martins Cipulis)

1:1 - 04:14 Sergei Shirokov (Stanislav Zhmakin)

1:2 - 09:27 Denis Parshin (Jonnatahan Hedstrem, Mika Hannula), PP

1:3 - 12:42 Mika Hannula (Konstantin Korneev)

1:4 - 14:44 Vadim Epanchincev (Oleg Saprikin, Alexei Simakov)

2:4 - 15:15 Marcel Hossa (Matt Ellison)

2:5 - 28:47 Sergei Shirokov (Stanislav Zhmakin)

2:6 - 38:59 Petr Schastliviy (Anton But, Georgi Mesharin), PP

Goalkeepers: Sergejs Naumovs, from 40:00 - Ervins Mushtukovs - Yussi Markkanen

Penalties: 8 - 10

Photos here and video here.

Dinamo Riga vs.
Spartak Moscow

28.01.09

4:1

The goalkeepers were Sergejs Naumovs and Dmitri Kochnev.

The beginning of the game was active, but without any real goal-scoring moments. Still, Dinamo Riga was more active and had a great opportunity on the 4th minute, but the puck hit the post. After that the home team took the advantage and had some more chances, but Spartak almost scored on a counter-attack, after which both teams were forced to play “four on four”. Right after the penalized players were back on the ice, Dinamo was left short-handed. Vladimir Loginov almost scored already on the first power-play seconds, but that was it, Dinamo defended well. Then – Spartak Moscow started to take the advantage. On the 17th minute Dinamo got a PP and, after a “three on two” attack at the end of it, Lauris Darzins opened the result! In the end of the period Mark Hartigan got so carried away with an attack, that got 2 minutes himself, giving the guests a one man advantage.

Dinamo held the penalty out and soon got a power-play itself. And once again turned it into a goal – 2:0! The home team continued offending the next minutes. Close to the middle the game became equal; Spartak started to answer with very dangerous attacks and got a PP soon. Dinamo held out. Then the game started to be calmer, even though the teams exchanged penalties. In the 36th minute Matt Ellison made the score 3:0 – a shot from the face-off circle! Right after that Dinamo was penalized, but defended very well. Right after – the home team got another penalty and held this one out too. Big thanks in it to Sergejs Naumovs, who was just great all game long.

Spartak Moscow was left short-handed in the beginning of the third period. Nothing dangerous was created by Dinamo. On the 46th minute Armands Berzins made the score 4:0: after M. Redlihs’ pass, Armands netted the puck right from the slot. Well, I guess, everything was clear in this game, so the teams didn’t play too hard anymore. Besides, Spartak received a penalty, during which Dinamo had nice moments to score. On the 54th minute the home team got another PP and on the 55th had a two man advantage. Dinamo Riga, however, didn’t score. As the game was coming to the end the teams had a small skirmish, it wasn’t serious though. Spartak Moscow kept trying to score a prestige goal and succeeded 16 seconds before the serene.

Dinamo Riga – Spartak Moscow 4:1 (1:0, 2:0, 1:1)

Goals:
1:0 – 18:27 Lauris Darzins (Guntis Galvins, Mikelsi Redlihs, PP)
2:0 – 24:18 Aleksandrs Nizivijs (Martk Hartigan, Martins Cipulis. PP)
3:0 – 35:44 Matt Ellison (Guntis Galvins)
4:0 – 44:28 Armands Berzins (Lauris Darzins, Mikelis Redlihs)
4:1 – 59:44 Kirill Lyamin (Ivan Baranka, Roman Lyuduchin)

Penalties: 20 – 20

Video here.

Dinamo's next opponents

28.01 Dinamo Riga vs. Spartak Moscow

Hockey Club Spartak Moscow established in 1946 is one of the most well known clubs of USSR. A four time Soviet League champion and an eleven times runner-up, a two time USSR Cup and a five time Spengler Cup winner.

Spartak played in the Russian second league, where the team became champion three times – year 2000, 2001 and 2004. Unfortunately, the financial state of the club wasn’t so good in the recent years and the beginning of season 2006/07 was considered as a tragedy in Russian hockey, as the great Spartak Moscow didn’t participate in any hockey tournament – the team was disbanded…

But thanks to the people, who really loved the team, loved the hockey history of the Soviet Union and Russia, and especially thanks to Vadim Melkov, a huge Spartak fan, who unfortunately died in a plane crash in 2006, and Boris Mayorov, one of the greatest players of the past, Spartak Moscow was “brought back to life” already in the next season.

Now Spartak is playing in Bobrov division and is showing very interesting and spectacular hockey. The team is currently placed 9th with 78 points.

The team’s leaders are forwards Branko Radioevich (16+23), Shtefan Ruzichka (14+16), Maxim Ribin (13+15), Eduard Levandovski (10+18), also Alexei Akifyev (11+11), Alexander Yunkov (7+15) and Alexander Drozdeckiy (10+11).

The goalies are Evgeniy Konobriy and Dmitri Kochnev, who was injured for a long time, so Konobriy was number one for a long time; his partner was Dinamo Riga’s current player Martin Prusek. Now, that Dmitri Kochnev has recovered he is playing in most of the games.

The first game between Dinamo Riga and Spartak Moscow ended with a 5:1 win of the Moscow team.

29.01 Dinamo Riga vs. CSKA

CSKA, Moscow (Central Sports Club of the Army), also founded in 1946, is probably the best club of the past. This team won the Soviet Championship for 32 times (!!!). CSKA played 36 games against NHL teams from 1975 to 1991 and finished with a record of 26 wins, 8 losses, and 2 ties. The club was able to pull off such a long run of dominance because during the Soviet era, the entire CSKA organization was a functioning division of the Red Army, from here – the other name – the Red Army Team.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, CSKA domination ended. The club was still strong, but not strong enough and didn’t win any medal set even once. After the coming of Vyacheslav Bykov, who is also the current head coach of the Russian national team, CSKA finished 3rd in the regulars last season, showing very beautiful attacking hockey.

Now CSKA is playing in the Tarasov division and is placed 6th with 89 points.

The leaders are forwards Sergei Shirokov (13+20), Oleg Saprikin (13+19), Anton But (10+20), Petr Schastliviy (16+11), defensemen Denis Kulyash (12+9) and Konstantin Korneev (6+14).

The goalkeepers are Konstantin Barulin and Yussi Markkanen, who, after a tragedy in his family, decided to continue playing in CSKA. Barulin is very good, but the coaches are trying to give Markkanen to play more right now, in order for him to get back in shape, so it’s possible, we’ll see Yussi in the net for the game against Dinamo Riga.

The first match between Riga and CSKA was won by Riga 4:3.

Changes in roster

Forward Edijs Brahmanis is going back to Latvian club Metallurg Liepaja, where he played before coming to Dinamo Riga. The player will end this season in Liepaja, but it's possible, that Brahmanis will return to Dinamo in the next season.

Forward Viktors Blinovs teared the contract with Dinamo Riga and will continue his career in Belarussian Extraleague club Metallurg Zhlobin.

Three players have been called from the farm club: goalkeeper Ervins Mushtukovs, defender Olegs Sorokins and forward Toms Hartmanis.

Dinamo Riga vs.
Vityaz Chekhov
25.01.09

4:2

Dinamo Riga - Vityaz Chekhov 4:2 (1:0, 2:1, 1:1)

Goals:

1:0 - 02:56 Marcel Hossa (Duvie Westcott, Matt Ellison)

2:0 - 30:35 Aleksandrs Nizivijs (Martins Cipulis, Mark Hartigan), PP

3:0 - 32:07 Philip Novak (Mark Hartigan, Marcel Hossa), PP

3:1 - 39:03 Vadim Berdnikov (Sergei Zuborev), PP

3:2 - 47:17 Andrei Kolesnikov (Vadim Berdnikov, Alexandr Vasilyev)

4:2 - 48:26 Edijs Brahmanis (Matt Ellison)

Goalkeepers: Sergejs Naumovs - Boris Tortunov

Penalties: 22 - 28.

Really don’t have the opportunity to write the article, so just a few words about the game: there was just one team on the ice in the first two periods – Dinamo Riga. In the third – the guests “started to play hockey” and turned into the Vityaz we are used to see, so there was some intrigue. Still, Dinamo won deservingly. Maybe somebody of the colleagues will be so kind and write a more detailed review, with all the goals, fights and other notable moments? ;-)

Three points, of course, is great, but for me the best part of the game was that Edijs Brahmanis scored his first goal for Dinamo, plus Philip Novak scored the team’s 100th goal in this season! :-)

Dinamo Riga’s next games are January 28 and 29 against two teams from Moscow – Spartak and CSKA.

Last week review

Even though there’s just a little more than a month left ‘till the KHL play-offs, we’ve decided to create a weekly observation of the standings, most interesting matches, as well as, how the team pairs for the play-off would look at the moment.

# Teams --- GP --- Goals --- PTS

1 Salavat Yulaev --- 45 ---176–90 --- 110

2 Ak Bars --- 46 --- 158–108 --- 98

3 Lokomotiv --- 46 --- 137–91 --- 88

4 CSKA --- 46 --- 145–118 --- 88

5 Atlant --- 45 --- 155–186 --- 101

6 Metallurg Mg --- 45 --- 149–115 --- 88

7 SKA --- 47 --- 120–87 --- 82

8 Spartak --- 47 --- 152–139 --- 78

9 Dinamo M --- 44 --- 144–119 --- 77

10 Traktor --- 45 --- 119–132 --- 72

11 Avangard --- 46 --- 134–133 --- 68

12 Dinamo R --- 45 --- 97–127 --- 65

13 Neftekhimik --- 47 --- 108–116 --- 65

14 Severstal --- 47 --- 119–145 --- 65

15 Torpedo --- 44 --- 122–123 --- 63

16 Baris --- 45 --- 139–154 --- 61

17 HC MVD --- 45 --- 110–123 --- 60

18 Lada --- 47 --- 93–106 --- 60

19 Amur --- 45 --- 90–124 --- 52

20 Sibir --- 45 --- 110–132 --- 51

21 Metallurg Nk --- 45 --- 103–128 --- 42

22 Dinamo Mn --- 45 --- 97–154 --- 39

23 Vityaz --- 46 --- 114–169 --- 39

24 Khimik --- 46 --- 84–156 --- 29

GP – games played; PTS – points

Well, there wasn’t anything really interesting this week. Notable are Lokmotiv’s results that lost all three this week’s games (2:3 to Spartak Moscow, 1:2 to Dinamo Riga, 1:2 OT to Vityaz Chekhov). The biggest results were fixed in the matches with Atlant – Khimik (8:1) and between two Dinamo’s from Moscow and Riga (7:1).

If tomorrow’s the play-off…

Here's how the play-off pair look for now:

(1) Salavat Yulaev – (16) Baris
(2) Ak Bars – (15) Torpedo
(3) Lokomotv – (14) Severstal
(4) CSKA – (13) Neftekhimik
(5) Atlant – (12) Dinamo Riga
(6) Metallurg Mg – (11) Avangard
(7) SKA – (10) Traktor
(8) Spartak – (9) Dinamo Moscow

Full statistics here.

Moscow crushes Riga

Dinamo Moscow vs.

Dinamo Riga

22.01.09

7:1

Dinamo Moscow - Dinamo Riga 7:1 (2:0, 3:0, 2:1)

Goals:

1:0 - 17:28 Denis Denisov (Karel Rahunek, Erik Landri, PP)

2:0 - 18:24 Alexei Kalyuzni (Gennadi Razin)

3:0 - 23:32 Denis Tolpeko (Ivan Nepryaev, Sergey Vishedkevich, PP)

4:0 - 28:45 Vitali Yachmenev (Alexei Kalyuzni, Dmitri Shitikov)

5:0 - 39:14 Denis Denisov (Alexei Kalyuzni, Denis Tolpeko)

6:0 - 46:16 Dmitri Shitikov (Vitali Yachmenev, PP)

7:0 - 46:47 Konstantin Kasyanchuk (Alexandr Goroshanski)

7:1 - 48:52 Krisjanis Redlihs (Marcel Hossa, Matt Ellison, PP)

Goalkeepers: Vitali Yeremeev - Sergejs Naumovs

Penalties: 16 - 24

Prusek & Lavins out for three weeks

Dinamo Riga goalie Martin Prusek has gotten an injury in yesterdays game with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. It happened when the visiting team scored its goal.

Martin needs surgery and will be back in shape in about three weeks. The second goalkeeper for Dinamo in the next games will be Ugis Avotins.

Dinamo Riga captain Rodrigo Lavins also got an injury in that match - in the end of the game, when the puck hit his leg. Rodrigo will miss a minimum three weeks.

Dinamo wins Lokomotiv

Dinamo Riga vs.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

19.01.09

2:1

Dinamo Riga - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2:1 (0:0, 2:1, 0:0)

1:0 - 24:17 Marcel Hossa (Girts Ankipans, Filip Novak)

1:1 - 33:01 Sergei Konkov (Alexei Mikhnov)

2:1 - 38:29 Mikelis Redlihs (Georgijs Pujac, Krisjanis Redlihs)

Goalkeepers: Martin Prusek (from 33:35 Sergejs Naumovs) - Georgi Gelashvili.

Penalties: 8 - 12.

Dinamo - Avangard, review

Dinamo Riga vs.
Avangard Omsk
16.01.09

5:4 OT

The goalkeepers were Martin Prusek for Dinamo and for Avangard – Adam Svoboda, their new goalie, for who this game was a debut.

Dinamo Riga began the match more active and opened the result on the 3rd minute – Matt Ellison won the face-off, gave the puck away to Marcel Hossa, who scored with a mighty snap-shot. Then – Dinamo played short-handed for two times. Avangard’s attacks weren’t so dangerous. On the 12th minute Dinamo got an opportunity for a power-play, but it was wasted. As the period was coming to the end, the home team was still more active, which allowed it to get another PP and to score the second goal – after Mark Hartigan’s shot the puck hit Svoboda’s skate blade and flied into the net. But less than a minute later the guests reduced the result: a beautiful two on one combination and Igor Volkov overplayed Dinamo’s goalie. Precisely two minutes later, when Riga was playing in a power-play once again, Krisjanis Redlihs with a long-shot made the score comfortable for Dinamo before the break – 3:1.

The beginning of the second period was behind Avangard Omsk, but later to the period the game became more equal or better to say – Dinamo got a little advantage. Well, our team had numerous goal-scoring chances, but luck was on Avangard’s side, as well as our players need to work on their attack endings. Avangard, however, used its opportunities. On the 15th minute Anton Kuryanov with a beautiful shot made the result 3:2, but a few minutes later Jaromir Jagr and Dmitri Pestunov after an effective combination tied it.

In the beginning of the third period the home team was better. In one of the episodes Duvie Westcott fouled on Jagr and received a penalty for that, but, boy, how the crowd welcomed Jaromir’s falling on the ice! :-) Well, actually, it’s a pretty big dead – to make Jaromir Jagr fall. The Czech player is a mighty guy; some of our Dinamo players even look small on his background :-) Back to the game: Avangard didn’t do anything special during the PP and continued to play more intently after. In the middle of the period Dinamo was penalized for having too many players on the ice. The player that went to the penalty box was Dinamo’s debutant – Edijs Brahmanis. Congratulations with your first mark in the game report, Edij! :-) Several moments later Dinamo was left three on five. Of course, Avangard Omsk used its two-man advantage and for the first time in the game took the lead – 3:4. Dinamo was still left short-handed, but held out the remaining time. Then – Riga had a power-play for two times, but without anything, despite the good opportunities to score. It looked like Avangard has won this match, but no – on 58:19 Kristaps Sotnieks’ (games MVP, by the way. The kid's progressing!) great shot from a sharp angle and right into the top corner made the score 4:4 and moved the game into over-time!

The teams, of course, were very careful, but in the middle Omsk received a penalty, a penalty in the OT – that’s always too dangerous and almost always – a goal. What Dinamo Riga and Mark Hartigan proved – a 5:4 victory and two points for the home team!

This game was the last of four with Avangard Omsk. The results of the last three were 3:2 and 2:0 for Dinamo Riga and a 3:0 for Avangard. So, Dinamo has a positive balance of matches against Avangard. Riga gained 8 points out of a possible 12, the goal difference is +1 (10–9). At this time, Omsk is a convenient opponent for Dinamo.

Next game – Monday, January 19, against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Match goals here. Enjoy!

Dinamo Riga – Avangard Omsk 5:4 OT (3:1, 0:2, 1:1, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 - 02:52 Marcel Hossa (Matt Ellison), 2:0 - 15:39 Mark Hartigan (Matt Ellison, Marcel Hossa, PP), 2:1 - 16:27 Igor Volkov (Dmitri Vlasenkov, Anton Kuryanov), 3:1 - 18:27 Krisjanis Redlihs (Martins Cipulis, PP), 3:2 - 34:53 Anton Kuryanov (Alexandr Popov), 3:3 - 36:28 Dmitri Pestunov (Jaromir Jagr), 3:4 - 50:59 Vyacheslav Belov (Jakub Klepish, Jaromir Jagr, PP), 4:4 - 58:19 Kristaps Sotnieks (Armands Berzins), 5:4 - 63:15 Mark Hartigan (Duvie Westcott, Matt Ellison, PP).

Penalties: 12 - 18.

Sirokovs injured

Dinamo Riga forward and ex-captain Aleksejs Sirokovs has gotten a shoulder injury and is out for an unknown term. The player got injured in the last match against Lada Tolyatti.

This season Sirokovs has participated in 35 games, where he earned 10 points (2+8) and got 24 penalty minutes.

Pujacs joins Riga "Dinamo"

A few hours before the transition end (14th January at 24:00, Moscow time), Riga "Dinamo" declared Latvian national team defender Georgijs Pujacs and forward Edijs Brahmanis, for playing in Riga "Dinamo".





Riga "Dinamo" already from season beginning tried to contract with Togliatti "Lada" about Georgijs Pujacs joining Riga"Dinamo", but - without results, until now.

Brahmanis against Blinovs

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) HC Riga "Dinamo" is close to transaction with Belarusian Extra League (BAČ) SC Liepajas "Metalurgs, which provides, that Edijs Brahmanis will play in Riga "Dinamo", while Viktors Blinovs could play in Liepajas "Metalurgs".

Brahmanis, which has 41(26+15) gathered many points in this season, whhich is resulting third best result in league(Belorussian Chamoionship), could join "Dinamo" some of these days.
Consequently, Brahmanis could play in Dinamo allready at Friday night, when Dinamo will meet ''Avangard'' Omsk at Arena Riga.

KHL All-Star game video 2009, full

The Kontinental Hockey league All-star game

10.01.2009

Moscow, Red Square

* I suggest to view it in full screen!

Related post here.

Victory for Jagr-team!

The Kontinental Hockey league All-star game

10.01.2009

Moscow, Red Square

Yashin-team 6:7 Jagr-team

(1:3, 3:1, 2:3)

Goals: 0:1 - 08:26 Marcel Hossa (Jakub Klepish), 1:1 - 10:20 Sergei Mozyakin, 1:2 - 11:41 Ben Klaimer (Jakub Klepish), 1:3 - 14:29 Yaroslav Kudrna (Esa Pirnes, Yan Marek), 2:3 - 28:40 Denis Kulyash, 2:4 - 36:10 Marcel Hossa, 3:4 - 38:25 Sergei Mozyakin, 4:4 - 39:49 Oleg Saprikin (Alexandr Radulov), 5:4 - 49:25 Oleg Saprikin, 5:5 - 52:10 Yan Marek (penalty-shot), 6:5 - 56:30 Alexandr Radulov (penalty-shot), 6:6 - 58:00 Pavel Brendl, 6:7 - 59:01 Marcel Hossa.

Goalkeepers: Alexandr Yeremenko, Konstantin Barulin - Robert Esche (Ray Emery).

Dinamo Riga forward Marcel Hossa scored three times in this match (including the game-winning goal) and was named one of Jagr-team's best players!

Lada - Dinamo, review

Lada Tolyatti vs.
Dinamo Riga

09.01.09

0:2

The goalkeepers for the game – Vasiliy Koshechkin (Lada) and Martin Prusek (Dinamo).

Dinamo Riga was left short-handed on the 31st second already, but Lada didn’t score. The result was opened by the visiting team on the 8th minute. In the second period there were many penalties. Dinamo Riga even earned a penalty shot, but Armands Berzins didn’t turn it into a goal. Nothing notable, not even a penalty, happened in the third period way ‘till the 57th minute, when Mark Hartigan scored a second goal for Dinamo, earning a three-point victory over Lada.

This was the last game against Lada Tolyatti this season. What’s interesting, that all 4 matches ended with a shut-out result for one of the teams, as well as both teams won twice and it happened on the opponents ice: a 6:0 and 1:0 for Lada in Riga, and a same 1:0 and a 2:0 for Dinamo in Tolyatti.

With this game Dinamo Riga ended its away series, where the team earned 3 points out of a possible 12 with a –9 (4–13) goal difference.

Lada Tolyatti – Dinamo Riga 0:2 (0:1, 0:0, 0:1)

Goals: 07:22 Lauris Darzins (Rodrigo Lavins) 0:1, 56:52 Mark Hartigan (Aleksandrs Nizivijs) 0:2.

Penalties: 8 – 12.

The next match is on January 16 against Avangard Omsk and with it Dinamo Riga opens a series out of a 6 home games straight.

Lokomotiv - Dinamo, review

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

vs. Dinamo Riga

07.01.09

6:1

The goalkeepers were Georgi Gelashvili (Lokomotiv) and Sergejs Naumovs (Dinamo). Marcel Hossa was disqualified for this game (received his 3rd 10 minute penalty in the last game).

The teams started carefully, no dangerous shots on goal were made. On the 5th minute Girts Ankipans almost scored, after Atvars Tribuncovs’ shot, which Gelashvili stroked off! On 05:42 Lauris Darzins got a penalty for tripping. Dinamo Riga defended confidently. Then Loko started to gain the advantage: in the middle of the period the home team locked Dinamo in its zone and had several dangerous shots in a row. On the 14th minute Lokomotiv players Alexei Mikhnov and Alexei Kudshev held a nice attack, Naumovs saved, but a minute later – they had a similar attack and scored – Kudashov centered the puck, all that was left for Mikhnov to do is to put the stick under the shot – 1:0! 19 second later Dinamo got a power-play, but no real goal-scoring moments were created, although Yaroslavl wasn’t handling the puck so careful from time to time. On 17:13 Olegs Sorokins was penalized for hooking. Lokomotiv was very active in Dinamo’s zone, so active, that Alexei Yashin received 2 minutes, being carried away by an attack. But several seconds later Dinamo got another penalty – Martins Cipulis for tripping. That was it for the first period. An equal game in the first 10 minutes, and Lokomotiv’s advantage in the second.

The second period started with the attacks of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and with a dangerous Joseph Vashichek wrist-shot. On the 24th minute Gelashvili confidently took the puck after Mark Hartigan’s shot. Lokomotiv’s Yashin and Irgl held a counter-attack, Naumovs was also great. Open hockey set out in the next minutes. Dinamo Riga was even a bit more aggressive. On the 29th minute Lokomotiv got a penalty and almost scored short-handed. After that a small brawl happened, after which Duvie Westcott got an injury (wasn’t serious), but Alexander Galimov received a double minor – for elbowing and roughing. The angry Dinamo players went on attacking. The guests locked the home team in their zone and had numerous opportunities to score, but luck was on Lokomotiv’s side! And right after Galimov came out of the penalty box, he received the puck and organized an attack, Naumovs managed to deal with it, but Mikelis Redlihs made a breakaway and tied the result!!! Afterwards the game became a little calmer. On the 38th minute Loko received a power-play and Zbinek Irgl made the score 2:1! A much more interesting and equal hockey in the second twenty minutes!

Just like the second, the third period began with the home team attacks, but the shots weren’t nor hard for Sergejs Naumovs, nor precise. But on the 43rd minute Alexei Yashin scored a third goal for his team after all – Naumovs was screened. Several moments later Lokomotiv almost scored another one, Dinamo answered, but their attacks weren’t dangerous. Riga looked a bit discouraged after the third goal. But on the 49th minute Mikhnov and Konykov ran 2 on 2 with Tribuncvos and Aleksejs Sirokovs – 4:1! After – Dinamo got a chance to at least calm down a little, to control the puck for some time – Lokomotiv got a penalty. The guests didn’t have dangerous attacks during their PP, but they had one, when Loko was already at full-strength, but Gelashvili was super – the goalkeeper somehow managed to put the shin-pad on the ice, when Darzins shot from the bottom. But team Yaroslavl answered with a goal – none other than Alexei Yashin demonstrated his great hockey skills. Dinamo Riga broke down. A little more than a minute later – Ivan Tkachenko scored a 6th goal for his team – an awesome wrist-shot from out of the face-off circle! Lokomotiv had some more attacks before the serene and could have scored more. Shots: 35-19.

Well, Dinamo Riga didn’t show a game in the last period. The third goal changed the game and our team fell apart. I don’t think, however, that there are reasons for worrying. The team was tired, probably, besides, let’s be reasonable – it was pretty difficult, maybe even impossible, to win Lokomotiv for another time. I’m sure Riga will make the necessary corrections for the next game.

I must say, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl looked great today! Especially Konykov and Mikhnov, as well as Yashin-Irgl-Vashichek. Alexei Mikhnov, by the way, was named the best player of the game in his team; in Dinamo – it was Rodrigo Lavins.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl – Dinamo Riga 6:1 (1:0, 1:1, 4:0)

Goals: 14:20 Mikhnov (Kudashev, Konykov) 1:0, 34:25 M. Redlihs (Berzins) 1:1, 38:14 Irgl (Okerman, Vashichek, PP) 2:1, 42:41 Yashin (Vashichek) 3:1, 48:13 Mikhnov (Konykov) 4:1, 55:22 Yashin (Irgl, Vashichek) 5:1, 56:42 Tkachenko (Semin) 6:1.

Penalties: 12 – 8.

Dinamo Riga's next game - January 9 against Lada Tolyatti.

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Severstal - Dinamo Riga, review

Severstal Cherepovets

vs. Dinamo Riga

05.01.09

3:1

Severstal was placed 11th for this game, Dinamo Riga – 14th with only 2 points difference. The goalkeepers were Rastislav Stana and Martin Prusek.

The beginning was calm, then the home team started taking the advantage – Severstal was more active and had some moments. Dinamo Riga’s first dangerous attack happened on the 8th minute. On 08:35 Dinamo got a power-play, but 21 second later – Duvie Westcott got 2 minutes himself. Being 4 on 4 Severstal was more active, Dinamo had only one moment, which wasn’t dangerous. On the 12th minute Aigars Cipruss had to make a foul, otherwise the opponent could have opened the result. Dinamo held out this penalty. Then – Severstal attacked, Martin Prusek was in his place, but he couldn’t be the saver all the time – on 18:31 Sergei Soin opened the result, which was logical, it seems. On 18:55 Riga was left short-handed. After 1st period: shots: 7-3; face-offs: 11-15.

Dinamo Riga held out its penalty and got a PP on the 4th minute. Only Lauris Darzins had a nice chance to score. Riga got another power-play on the 7th minute – no goal. On the 13th minute Severstal’s player got another 2 minutes and this time Dinamo Riga did it – Matt Ellison tied the result! Several seconds later Darzins almost scored another one for Riga and had another shot later – right in the goalkeeper. 15 seconds before the break Duvie Westcott received a minor for blocking. Shots: 8-18, face-offs: 27-24.

Severstal didn’t turn their 1:45 minute power-play into a goal. On the 6th minute Filip Novak missed out of a nice position. Then – Severstal’s Lemtyugov, Gubin and Nady were very active in front of Prusek’s net – as a result Dinamo was left SH. By the end of Riga’s penalty, the home team scored, but the referee didn’t count the goal, as there was a penalty from Severstal, so it was Dinamo’s turn to have a power-play, but the guests didn’t score. On 49:18 Marcel Hossa got 10 minutes, but on 51:16 Dinamo was left short-handed once again. Severstal’s pressure was high and Riga got another penalty, and it’s no wonder the home team scored – 2:1! After – Dinamo got a chance to tie the result – Stanislav Egorshev was penalized. No goal for Dinamo and Severstal almost scored short-handed. Riga was attacking on the last minute, but Severstal scored its third goal! Team Dinamo took a time-out, probably, to calm the players down. And that was it. A 3:1 win for Severstal Cherepovets! Shots: 12-27; face-offs: 39-33.

Severstal Cherepovets – Dinamo Riga 3:1 (1:0, 0:1, 2:0)

Goals: 18:31 Sergei Soin (Mihail Yakubov, Vladislav Poperechniy) 1:0, 34:03 Matt Ellison 1:1, 53:25 Yozef Straka (Pavel Kanarski, Oleg Gubin, PP) 2:1, 58:28 Nikolai Lemtyugov (Oleg Gubin, Joel Kvyatkovski) 3:1.

Penalties: 12 – 24.

You can watch video of the goals here.

Dinamo Riga next match - 07.01 against Yaroslavl's Lokomotiv.

SKA - Dinamo Riga, review

Ska St. Petersburg vs.

Dinamo Riga
03.01.09

4:0

The result is fair. SKA controlled the game calmly and confidently and won deservedly.

SKA St. Petersburg - Dinamo Riga 4:0 (1:0, 2:0, 1:0)


Goals: 14:13 Kucheryavchenko (Golovin, PP) 1:0, 22:40 Babenko (Gusev, PP) 2:0, 37:43 Makarov (Kucheryavchenko, Nemirovski) 3:0, 42:27 Safronov (Golovin, PP) 4:0.


Goalkeepers: Robert Esche - Martin Prusek.


Penalties: 24 - 28 (10 minutes for Marcel Hossa in the first period and 10 minutes for Igor Makarov in the third).