RIGA — Dinamo Riga’s mid-season revival continued Thursday evening, disposing of Spartak 6-4.
Marcel Hossa again starred for Dinamo Riga as the home-side finally performed for all three periods, much to the delight of the 8,450 that turned up to Arena Riga. Those that hoped for a quiet night following Wednesday’s independence celebrations had come to the wrong place as Dinamo Riga gave the fans plenty of reason to continue celebrating.
Dinamo Riga were handed an early setback when Spartak started the scoring through Kiril Kalev in the 10th, sending their fans into delirium. However, where the Dinamo Riga of old would have faltered, the newly revived team that we have come to expect in the last few games became more resolute and soon had one back of their own in the 15th, when Hossa’s deflected shot landed in front Ģirts Ankipāns who had nothing but an open net in front of him.
Roberts Bukarts made sure Dinamo Riga had the advantage heading into the break scoring his team’s second just over two minutes later. Again it was the failure of Spartak goalie Evgeny Konobri to secure the puck that set up the goal after a mad scramble in front of the net with Jānis Sprukts and Sandis Ozoliņš assisting.
2.27 into the second period and Hossa was extending his goal scoring record with another case of being in the right place at the right time with new Spartak goalie Dimitri Kotchnev proving no more useful at tidying up the loose puck in front of his net.
With nearly five minutes gone and Dinamo Riga were rewarded for a fine period of sustained pressure in the Spartak zone. Again it was no other than man of the month Hossa on hand, this time showing he can also score the goals from deep when he hooked onto a fine pass from Ozoliņš.
When Janis Redlihs was given back to back spells in the penalty box mid way through the period, Spartak were quick to pounce, scoring through Edward Levindovsky. It looked as if the momentum was about to swing and Spartak began creating more opportunities. Robert Petrovicky however had other thoughts as he went on a two-on-one break before beating Kotchnev to extend the lead back out to three as the period winded down.
Knazev assured that the game would not finish completely in favor of Dinamo Riga scoring his second of the night six minutes into the final period. It was enough to make the faintest of hearts flutter but this was Dinamo Riga’s night. The icing was put on the cake by an again prominent Sprukts who swooped on some sloppy play by Spartak on the power play, racing down the ice unmarked before sending the sixth and final goal past a flailing Kotchnev.
Julius Supplers was full of praise for his troops, particularly their ability to stick to the game plan and wear the Spartak defence down. ‘They also played a very good game and it was hard but it was a pleasure to play at home.’
Asked about the reason for mid-season turn around defender Lee Sweatt put it down to Dinamo Riga’s ability to adapt. ‘We are playing a much simpler game. We are hitting a lot more pucks of the board and chasing hard. Everyone from the coaches, to players to the general manager were on the same board as to what had to change.’
This evenings game also marked American Tyler Arnason’s first outing for Dinamo Riga. He said that the atmosphere into which he had entered was positive. Questioned on the language barrier he said it was not a big problem and he tried to listen for his line being called.
Next up for Dinamo Riga is Lokomotive at home on Saturday, where again they will be expecting a massive home crowd to turn out.
