A Dinamo Riga defender does all he can to get between the opposition and the puck as goalie Martin Prusek looks on. Photo used courtesy of Dinamo Riga.
RIGA — Dinamo Riga had a less than ideal return to Arena Riga, going down 2-4 to Ak Bars of Moscoon Wednesday evening.
In front of 8,420 fans, Dinamo Riga could not replicate the goal-scoring form that had seen them wipe aside Neftehmik on Monday evening. In comparison Dinamo Riga looked lethargic on Wednesday night as they completely died out in the second-half of the game.
Ak Bars had the early advantage in the eighth minute, when they were given the opportunity to show just how strong they are on power-plays, converting through Danis Zaripov. It was of no great concern to Dinamo Riga and fans alike, as they knew they would come back soon.
And true to recent form they did, with Miķelis Rēdlihs given an open net in the 15th minute. The opportunity arose after a fine shot from Lauris Dārziņš was blocked but not trapped by Petri Vehanen in goal. Throughout the opening period it had been Dārziņš along with Roberts Bukarts who were looking the most threatening.
Darzins was again in the action for Dinamo Riga’s second goal, with a casual as you like tap through Vihanen’s legs. The opportunity was made available courtesy of a pin point pass from team mate Jānis Sprukts.
However, this was the end of the highlights for Dinamo Riga with Aleksei Marasov and Ilya Nikulin both adding goals for the visitors before the end of the period. Marasov’s goal came on the back of some sloppy passing from Dinamo Riga who failed to clear the puck at a crucial moment, whereas Nikulin again showed just how dangerous Ak Bars are on the power play, firing his shot home from deep in the third.
The telling moment in the final period came in a three minute duration in the middle of the third, when wave after wave of Dinamo Riga attacks were swatted off by Vehanen. Even Marcel Hossa could not break through the resolute line of defense. In return they were made to pay for a momentary loss in concentration with Ak Bars stealing the puck and scoring their fourth and final through Dmitri Kazeonov with just over six minutes remaining.
The two goal deficit proved too much for Dinamo Riga to overcome, as they succumb to a disappointing loss. Dinamo Riga defender Lee Sweatt was realistic in his summing up of the game simply stating that, “sometimes your shots just don’t go in. That’s hockey.”
Sweatt described the mood in the team as positive but tomorrow they will analyse the game and then special emphasis will be placed on working on the defensive zone before Friday’s game against Lada.
