RIGA — Dinamo Riga could not do enough in overtime to avoid a 2-1 defeat at the hands of CSKA in their latest KHL match-up.
Out-right victory would have seen Dinamo Riga move ahead of CSKA in the playoff race and all but guarantee their play-off spot. However, having only claimed one point, and with Torpedo achieving the same outcome against Dinamo Moscow, Dinamo Riga need one win from their final three matches to confirm their place in the final 16. Off course, if Torpedo are to lose one of their three remaining games then Dinamo Riga’s spot will be safe. Just to add some spice to the situation, Dinamo Riga face three of the front-running teams, while Torpedo face three of the lowest teams in the competition. The final three games are also away games for Dinamo Riga.
From the opening face-off it was obvious that little would separate these teams with the adage every shot counts holding particular relevance on Sunday evening. Again the home fans were out in force with some patrons forced to sit in the aisles in an over-flowing Arena Riga. Oļegs Sorokins gave them something to cheer about early, with a fine individual effort to draw first blood. Skating the puck back into play from behind the CSKA net, his shot pierced the CSKA defence with perfection to go searing into the top-right corner of the neck.
On more than one occasion Dinamo Riga could have doubled their lead, whilst at the other end of the rink, some sharp goalkeeping from Edgars Masaļskis was all that stood between CSKA and their chance to draw even. The intensity lifted with the beginning of the second period as CSKA lifted their aggression in front of the Dinamo Riga net, often proving a handful for the Dinamo Riga defense. The pressure finally told, and with Dinamo Riga briefly reduced to four men halfway through the period, CSKA pounced, grabbing the equalizer after Dinamo Riga finally fell to their relentless attacks.
One got the feeling that the next goal would indeed be the winner as the defense at both ends became stauncher. Tyler Arnason touched on this following the game, telling Baltic Reports that, “CSKA lifted their game in the final period…they needed to win just as much as us.”
With this in mind, few were surprised when the game moved into overtime.
Edgars Masaļskis holds out in front of his own whilst Martin Kariya switches to offence. Photo courtesy of Dinamo Riga
Throughout overtime it was CSKA that looked the more threatening of the two teams, assisted by a two-minute power play in their advantage but Dinamo Riga refused to back down, repelling attack after attack. So for the second time in a week Dinamo Riga were about to settle a game in shootout.
Unfortunately Dinamo Riga were unable to replicate their shoot-out form proving vulnerable at both ends, with Edgars Masaļskis only able to stop one from three whilst only Lauris Dārziņš was able to penetrate the CSKA goalie.
In a sense it was a game that Dinamo Riga should in normal circumstances feel pleased to walk away from with at least a point, but now, with every point counting, one can not help but think they will be ruing missed opportunities, particularly in the first period.
The KHL will now take a rest for a month, making way for next week’s Winter Olympics. The majority of Dinamo Riga will be involved in the Olympics, whilst those remaining in Latvia will make the most of a one week break before resuming training next week.
