Happy New year!!!

Dinamo Riga Blog wishes everybody a very happy New year!!!

May it be successful and a bit easier than the last year! :-)

Purchase of domain name

We had recently bought a new domain name dinamoblog.com , now it will be more easy for you to remember the place of this blog on world-wide-web. Our first choice for domain name was dynamoriga.com, wich was not taken week ago, now that I wanted to register it, somebody had already taken it. Pitty...

So the additional domain name for this blog is:

DINAMOBLOG.COM

P.S It will be awailible to use within 3 days.

Prusek - last weeks best goalie

Dinamo Riga player Martin Prusek has been named last weeks best goalkeeper once again!

Besides, Prusek has the most shutout games played in KHL among all goalies – considering the matches in Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Riga this number is 7. Two times in Spartak – against Dinamo Minsk (2:0) and Traktor Chelyabinsk (4:0), and a whole five times in Dinamo Riga – also against Traktor (5:0), against Ak Bars Kazan (2:0), Lada Tolyatti (1:0), Avangard Omsk (2:0) and Baris Astana (1:0).

Currently Martin Prusek is placed 3rd in the overall goalkeeper standings of KHL with an average 2.48 goal against and a 90.6% of saves. You can find the full statistics here.

We are very proud of our goalkeeper here in Riga. Congratulations, Martin, and keep it up like this! :-)

Photo from khl.ru

Dinamo - Baris, review

Dinamo Riga vs.
Baris Astana

28.12.08

1:0

Baris Astana was placed 13th for this game, Dinamo Riga – 14th with only one point difference. The goalkeepers were Martin Prusek and Marc Lamothe.

The teams exchanged attacks on the first minute. On the second – Lauris Darzins had a nice moment, but he threw the puck way over the net. Then the teams became to play more carefully, but the attacks were still dangerous. Dynamo was more active the next minutes – had two moments in a row, but Riga’s players off-side and luck saved Baris. Then Riga got a power-play, however, theguests defended very well. After – Baris was in Dinamos zone more, but without any good shots. Riga’s counter-attacks were more dangerous. On the last minutes the teams started to show open hockey once again. Lauris Darzins had a good opportunity, but the shot was inaccurate. On 19:10 Girts Ankipans received a penalty. Baris was very close to score, even hit the post once, but Dinamo held out.

Dinamo Riga was still short-handed in the beginning of the next period and this time defended the net properly. Several moments later the home team was already in PP, but the guests were good in the defence as well. Then Mikelis Redlihs skated in front of the net and got another power-play for his team. Probably, the most notable moment was created by Mark Hartigan. Being at full-strength Baris consolidated in Dinamos’ zone, Prusek had much work, Olegs Sorokins got 2 minutes. Baris was close to score a minimum three times. Martin Prusek was terrific. After – the home team was in Baris’ zone all the time, but it was pointless, as no real goal-scoring chances were made, not even in the first PP, which Dinamo got during their attacks. But when Riga got the second one on 38:38, Atvars Tribuncovs with a mighty shot from the blue line finally opened the result! 1:0 – after the second period.

Baris had a chance to play in PP two times in a row right at the beginning of the third twenty minutes. They didn’t turn the first one into a goal and almost let Dinamo to score for about three times during the second. Luck wasn’t on Dinamo’s side. After that the game became more carefull, as the teams needed to calm down a little. On the 9th minute Marcel Hossa didn’t use a 100% moment – Marcel was left alone in front of the net, received the puck, but couldn’t overplay Lamothe. Then Mikelis Redlihs had a nice chance as well, but Marc Lamothe was great once again! After – Hossa got a penalty in Baris’ zone. The away team had chances, but Martin Prusek was playing calm and cold-blooded. On the 14th minute Lauris Darzins run one on one with Marc Lamothe – the goalkeeper was wonderful. The away team answered with an attack, Prusek was in his place. The clubs continued exchanging attacks, both goalie worked wonders, especially Lamothe, as Dinamo offended more dangerously. Baris got a penalty on the last minute. The guests didn’t pull the goalkeeper out, so Dinamo won this match!

This game was harder than yesterdays, both teams weren’t so fresh, but that’s understandable. I think Baris earned points as well today, but Dinamo was a little better (maybe even only in the last period) and a little luckier today, as well as Martin Prusek was in his style, which allowed Dinamo Riga to gain those necessary 3 points.

Dinamo Riga - Baris Astana (0:0, 1:0, 0:0)

Goals: 38:57 Atvars Tribuncovs (Aleksandrs Nizivijs, Martins Cipulis, PP) 1:0.

Penalties: 10 -12.

Chat section added!

Hi, I just added chat section, you are welcome to use it. See top right corner or click here.

There will be game today between Baris Astana, you are welcome to join us and chat, no registration needed. :)

Dinamo - Khimik, review

Dinamo Riga vs.
Khimik Voskresensk

27.12.08

4:2

The goalies were Martin Prusek and Andrei Vasilyev.

The start for Dinamo Riga was great – Matt Ellison opened the result already on the 25th second of the match! It seemed this could have been the start of a major crushing of Khimik, but it wasn’t so. Even though Dinamo began so well, Khimik showed very soon, that it didn’t come to Riga for losing. The visiting team didn’t let Dinamo to feel free in their zone, what’s more – Khimik attacked itself (dangerously I must say) and thanks to that (and to the week actions of Dinamo players) was able to tie the result very soon! After that Voskresensk club continued to offense, but then the game became equal. Both teams attacked, but without result; both teams had a chance to play in power-play, but also with no result.

The second period was similar. Dinamo got a PP on the 3rd minute and scored. But the joy wasn’t long. 52 seconds later the score-board already showed a 2:2. The teams continued attacking. Dinamo Riga had absolutely no luck in scoring; Khimik Voskresensk didn’t score thanks to Prusek and sometimes to our defenders.

The pressure was getting stronger in the last twenty minutes. Dinamo had more chances to score in the first half of the period. Then – the teams exchanged penalties, which none of the clubs used properly. On the 9th minute Aleksandrs Nizivijs gave Dinamo the lead, making the fans explode from delight. After that Dinamo was left short-handed, but held out. Khimik tried to tie the result as hard as it could, but Dinamo controlled the puck more and didn’t let the opponent to create many moments. On the pre-last minute Dinamo scored its 4th goal and nobody else doubted that it was the victory.

Well… to be honest, Dinamo Riga didn’t look so good in this match. The players sometimes looked slow, withered and had problems in working with the puck from time to time. After the last matches Dinamo Riga had, with the game it showed, and also after such a fast goal in this match, it’s possible the team was in euphoria and thought it will win a team like Khimik (with all respect) with no problems. But Dinamo Riga is not such a high-classed club to allow it thinking so. In fact, even major clubs can’t think like that. Well, whatever, but if Dinamo Riga wants to get points (I’m not even talking about winning) in the next game, which is tomorrow against Baris Astana, it has to play much more better than it did today, it has to play carefully and intently. It’s going to be ve-ery hard, but Dinamo needs points, so we hope our team will do its best tomorrow.

Some highlights:

Dinamo Riga – Khimik Voskresensk 4:2 (1:1, 1:1, 2:0)

Goals: 00:25 Matt Ellison (Marcel Hossa, Krisjanis Redlihs) 1:0, 04:57 Viktor Bobrov (Sergei Luchinkin, Maksim Galkin) 1:1, 23:03 Marcel Hossa (Filip Novak, PP) 2:1, 23:55 Maksim Galkin (Aleksandr Kozhevnikov, Sergei Luchinkin) 2:2, 48:22 Aleksandr Nizivijs (Mark Hartigan) 3:2, 58:04 Martins Cipulis (Mark Hartigan, Aleksandrs Nizivijs) 4:2.

Penalties: 10 – 10.

Dinamo - Khimik, preview

Dinamo Riga vs.

Khimik Voskresensk

27.12.08

Founded in 1953, Khimik (or Chemist in English) Voskresensk is one of the models of soviet hockey, but the current Khimik isn’t the same club as was the former Voskresensk team. The real Khimik moved to Mytischi in 2005 and carries the name of Atlant right now.

Voskresensk wasn’t left without a team. In the same 2005 a new club was based with the same historical name – Khimik. So it’s right to consider year 2005 as the birth of the Khimik Voskresensk as we know it.

That season the yellow-blue’s played in Russia’s second league – Visshaya Liga (a.k.a. Russian Supreme League or High-league), where they got to the quarter finals. Next year the team played in the finals and gained silver medals. Thanks to that, Khimik had to play in the Superleague next season, but due to some obstacles, the club was forced to stay in the Supreme league. In season 2007/08 Khimik won gold, but, the Superleague was turned into the KHL and Khimik’s participation in it wasn’t provided.

However, the team from Voskresensk got the opportunity to play in the KHL, as one other club (Yekaterinburg’s Avtomobilist) was compelled to take its participation out of the league right before the start of the season.

Having the lowest budget, Khimik Voskresensk took the chance to enter the KHL. Nobody actually considered the team as a serious opponent for other clubs. Right now Khimik is placed 23rd with 28 points and with 84 goals for and 129 against. Despite that the team is an outsider, it’s a very uneasy opponent for any team. Other clubs usually fight very hard for the points.

The first game with Khimik wasn’t so simple for Dinamo Riga either – only a 2:1 win. However, considering how Riga is playing right now and the fact that this match will be on home ice, Dinamo should be able to take three points.

Khimik’s goalkeepers – Alexei Egorov and Andrei Vasilyev – both play an equal amount of time. The team doesn’t have super-class players, but still has its leaders – forwards Viktor Gordiyuk with 19 points, Aleksandr Romanov with 13, Denis Kartsev and Sergey Luchinkin both with 12 points.

Merry Christmas!!! :-)

When things are dark, there’s always a light in it somewhere. It’s near – it could be the Christmas tree, it could be the fire place, or it could be even closer – inside of you. Christmas is the time to search for this light. So do it. Find the light in your way, as each and every soul has one. If you don’t find it now, keep searching and keep believing. Having faith and believe can make people do great things.

Dinamo Riga Hockey blog wishes all our readers a BRIGHT and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank You for being with us!

Dinamo - Avangard, review

Dinamo Riga vs.
Avangard Omsk

24.12.08

2:0

The goalkeepers for the game were Martin Prusek and Alexandr Fomichev.

Dinamo Riga had started very obstinately and got a power-play on the 2nd minute (Anton Kuryanov for high-sticking), but it wasn’t easy for Dinamo to get in Avangards’ zone, and the moments weren’t so dangerous. The game was rather equal after, with just a little Omsk’s advantage. On the 9th minute Avangard got its second penalty, but Dinamo did nothing worthy. Two seconds after the guests were at full strength, Krisjanis Redlihs left Dinamo short-handed, but Avangard also didn’t do anything dangerous in front of Martin Prusek’s net. Omsk had its first real goal-scoring moment on the 17th minute, when the players had several very dangerous shots, but the puck hit the post, when one of Avangards players had to get it in the net. Then – Kristaps Sotnieks received a penalty, but Dinamo Riga defended well and that was it for the first period.

The second twenty minutes began with a strong Avangard Omsk pressure, but Dinamo held out. On the 5th minute Aigars Cipruss skated into the zone and after a wonderful shot opened the result! On the next attack one of Avangard players hit the post once again. But Dinamo Riga after scoring went forward. Avangard Omsk got 4 penalties the next 10 minutes. Dinamo had the advantage and so-o-o many goal-scoring opportunities, but none was used. Ok, the shots weren’t the most dangerous ones and the goalie didn’t do wonders, but still Dinamo had to score… The home team got a penalty itself two minutes before the break (Mark Hartigan for boarding). Omsk, however, didn’t turn their power-play into a goal.

The third period started like the second – with Avangard’s attacks, and once again Dinamo held out and what’s more – scored its second goal – Matt Ellison after a perfect Marcel Hossa pass! Nothing else was left for Avangard except going forward and trying to score. Omsk had some dangerous attacks, but Martin Prusek was great in the net. Riga, however, also answered with counter-attacks from time to time. On the 14th minute thanks to the activity of Dinamo, Omsk’s Pavel Rossa got a minor penalty. Riga’s players didn’t try so hard to score; they just controlled the puck calmly. Two minutes before the serene, Fomichev was pulled out. Avangard tried to score at least a prestige-goal, but couldn’t. Prusek and team were great. It wasn’t so principle for Dinamo players to hit the empty net, they just tried to be with the puck more and out of their zone, where there was no threat for Martin Prusek. The serene got lost in the spectators ovation.

It was really a great game in Dinamo Riga’s performance – correct, calm and beautiful. Oh, and Martin Prusek, who was named best in Dinamo, - that’s something! A real hero indeed. The fans called up his name a minimum of three times during the game. Avangard Omsk, on the other hand, wasn’t bright at all. The team wasn’t fast, wasn’t aggressive. Dinamo was better today, that’s a fact, and won deservingly (that sounds so great, especially after wins against so high-classed teams! :-)). Well, a great gift for the filled to overflowing Arena and for all those fans in front of their TV’s for Christmas this game was!

Some Highlights:

Dinamo Riga - Avangard Omsk 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)

Goals: 24:06 Aigars Cipruss (Atvars Tribuncovs) 1:0, 44:20 Matt Ellison (Marcel Hossa) 2:0.

Penalties: 6 - 14.

Dinamos next game - saturday, December 27th, against Voskresensk's Khimik.

Petrovicky out

Forward Ronald Petrovicky has left Dinamo Riga, as informs clubs official website.

Petrovicky had participated in 30 games, where he scored 2 goals and gave 3 assists, as well as got 49 penalty minutes. Ronald had played about 11 minutes and 36 seconds in a match and had made 31 shots (6.5 % shot realization) with a 30.2% of won face-offs.