ST. PETERSBURG – The odds of Dinamo Riga making the Western Conference semifinals shortened considerably Thursday evening, following their 3-1 win over SKA, their second win in as many nights.

Needing to win just one more game to advance and with the next two games scheduled to take place in front of a home crowd, Dinamo Riga’s upped their chances of making the [private_supervisor]conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

This evening most of the damage was done in just over a minute in the second period, with Dinamo Riga scoring twice on power play to open up what had been an extremely tight encounter. Edgars Masaļskis was again at his best in goal repelling endless SKA shots at goal.

Not surprisingly, SKA were hurting from their loss an evening previous and wasted no time at attempting to make amends this evening, scoring first in the seventh minute. However, Dinamo Riga remained resolute, reaping the rewards from the sustained pressure with a Marcel Hossa goal in the 19^th minute.

With the game hanging in the balance halfway through the second period, Dinamo Riga were handed a chance to go ahead with an extra man on the ice in the 14^th minute. It was a chance they were not about to pass up, with Martin Kariya recording his second goal in the series. In the melee leading up to the goal, SKA were to lose another player to the penalty box, handing Dinamo Riga back to back power plays. Lauris Dārziņš made sure SKA were made to pay for the indiscretions, adding the visitor’s third less than a minute later.

The scoreline was not to change for the remainder of the game with Dinamo Riga’s defense remaining impenetrable, thanks in no small part to Masaļskis who finished the game with 38 saves.

It will be a sellout crowd who welcomes their heroes’ home to Arena Riga on Saturday evening, as Dinamo Riga look to wrap up the series. If required, a fourth game is scheduled for Arena Riga on Sunday. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

This evening most of the damage was done in just over a minute in the second period, with Dinamo Riga scoring twice on power play to open up what had been an extremely tight encounter. Edgars Masaļskis was again at his best in goal repelling endless SKA shots at goal.

Not surprisingly, SKA were hurting from their loss an evening previous and wasted no time at attempting to make amends this evening, scoring first in the seventh minute. However, Dinamo Riga remained resolute, reaping the rewards from the sustained pressure with a Marcel Hossa goal in the 19^th minute.

With the game hanging in the balance halfway through the second period, Dinamo Riga were handed a chance to go ahead with an extra man on the ice in the 14^th minute. It was a chance they were not about to pass up, with Martin Kariya recording his second goal in the series. In the melee leading up to the goal, SKA were to lose another player to the penalty box, handing Dinamo Riga back to back power plays. Lauris Dārziņš made sure SKA were made to pay for the indiscretions, adding the visitor’s third less than a minute later.

The scoreline was not to change for the remainder of the game with Dinamo Riga’s defense remaining impenetrable, thanks in no small part to Masaļskis who finished the game with 38 saves.

It will be a sellout crowd who welcomes their heroes’ home to Arena Riga on Saturday evening, as Dinamo Riga look to wrap up the series. If required, a fourth game is scheduled for Arena Riga on Sunday. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

This evening most of the damage was done in just over a minute in the second period, with Dinamo Riga scoring twice on power play to open up what had been an extremely tight encounter. Edgars Masaļskis was again at his best in goal repelling endless SKA shots at goal.

Not surprisingly, SKA were hurting from their loss an evening previous and wasted no time at attempting to make amends this evening, scoring first in the seventh minute. However, Dinamo Riga remained resolute, reaping the rewards from the sustained pressure with a Marcel Hossa goal in the 19^th minute.

With the game hanging in the balance halfway through the second period, Dinamo Riga were handed a chance to go ahead with an extra man on the ice in the 14^th minute. It was a chance they were not about to pass up, with Martin Kariya recording his second goal in the series. In the melee leading up to the goal, SKA were to lose another player to the penalty box, handing Dinamo Riga back to back power plays. Lauris Dārziņš made sure SKA were made to pay for the indiscretions, adding the visitor’s third less than a minute later.

The scoreline was not to change for the remainder of the game with Dinamo Riga’s defense remaining impenetrable, thanks in no small part to Masaļskis who finished the game with 38 saves.

It will be a sellout crowd who welcomes their heroes’ home to Arena Riga on Saturday evening, as Dinamo Riga look to wrap up the series. If required, a fourth game is scheduled for Arena Riga on Sunday. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]conference semifinals for the first time in franchise history.

This evening most of the damage was done in just over a minute in the second period, with Dinamo Riga scoring twice on power play to open up what had been an extremely tight encounter. Edgars Masaļskis was again at his best in goal repelling endless SKA shots at goal.

Not surprisingly, SKA were hurting from their loss an evening previous and wasted no time at attempting to make amends this evening, scoring first in the seventh minute. However, Dinamo Riga remained resolute, reaping the rewards from the sustained pressure with a Marcel Hossa goal in the 19^th minute.

With the game hanging in the balance halfway through the second period, Dinamo Riga were handed a chance to go ahead with an extra man on the ice in the 14^th minute. It was a chance they were not about to pass up, with Martin Kariya recording his second goal in the series. In the melee leading up to the goal, SKA were to lose another player to the penalty box, handing Dinamo Riga back to back power plays. Lauris Dārziņš made sure SKA were made to pay for the indiscretions, adding the visitor’s third less than a minute later.

The scoreline was not to change for the remainder of the game with Dinamo Riga’s defense remaining impenetrable, thanks in no small part to Masaļskis who finished the game with 38 saves.

It will be a sellout crowd who welcomes their heroes’ home to Arena Riga on Saturday evening, as Dinamo Riga look to wrap up the series. If required, a fourth game is scheduled for Arena Riga on Sunday. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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