Edgars Masaļskis block secures the over-time victory for Dinamo Riga. Photo used courtesy of Dinamo Riga.

CHEREPOVETS, Russia — Marcel Hossa has done it again, leading Dinamo Riga to a 4-3 overtime victory against Severstal.

Alot hinged on the result of this evening’s game with a loss not only impinging on Dinamo Riga’s play-off aspirations, but also allowing opposition Severstal back into the race.

This was something Severstal were all to aware of and leading 3-0 with over half the game gone they were sitting comfortable whilst Dinamo Riga were staring down the barrel of a defeat similar to the 8-1 hiding they experienced on Sunday.

Dinamo Riga again looked lethargic in the first period, something which has become something of an anomaly of late. Severstal were to take full advantage of some sloppy play by Dinamo Riga, claiming two goals in the first ten minutes whilst on power plays. Severstal further cemented their lead in the final minute of the period.

As the first ten minutes of the second period came and went, their was little to suggest a different result was on the cards. However, few had given to thought to sleeping giant Marcel Hossa who has being playing in relative anonymity of late. In the 17th minute as the clock was counting down on a Dinamo Riga power play Hossa showed why he is leading the KHL in goals adding his 28th for the season.

Dinamo Riga was still left with plenty to do in the final quarter if they were build a comeback and with 11 minutes remaining the safe money was on Severstal. However, when Hossa grabbed his seconds some began to sense a comeback was beginning.

With less than three minutes remaining Maxim Chudinov committed the cardinal sin of being given two minutes, meaning Dinamo Riga would virtually play out the rest of the game on power play. Dinamo Riga did not require all of the power play, with Hossa again getting involved, feeding the puck to Mike Iggulden to tie the game up.

Neither team could get of a quality shot during overtime, seeing the game go to shootout. For just the second time this season, Dinamo Riga were able to come up trumps, with Aleksandrs Ņiživijs and Lauris Dārziņš converting their opportunities. Edgars Masaļskis was solid at the other end and when he blocked Severstal’s third attempt, Dinamo Riga knew they had pulled off the second great escape in less than a week.

Dinamo Riga will complete their road trip on Wednesday when they take on Atlant before returning home for their four final regular home games of the season.