Dinamo Riga's Jēkabs Rēdlihs (14) attempts to put one past the HK MVD goalie, but the Latvians eventually went down 4-1. Photo used courtesy of Dinamo Riga.

MOSCOW, Russia — Dinamo Riga succumbed to HK MVD 4-1 in their opening Western Conference semifinal clash Friday evening.

It was a heartbreaking result for Dinamo Riga, who lead for the majority of the game, before a lapse in concentration early in the third period saw them go from 1-0 up to 4-1 down. They will be hoping to [private_supervisor]put the final period behind them before they take the ice again tomorrow evening.

Mārtiņš Cipulis has been one of the most consistent performers for Dinamo Riga this season without necessarily receiving the deserved credit. However, this evening he was center of attention when he put the visitors up 1-0 in the 17th minute of the opening period. After admitting to being frustrated with his form of late, Mārtiņš Karsums was visibly delighted after teaming up with Jānis Sprukts to provide the assist.

Throughout the second period, it was Dinamo Riga who were making the most opportunities but Matt Ellison was proving his worth in goal for HK MVD, on more than one occasion shutting out two-on-one attacks. Regardless it was Dinamo Riga carrying the momentum into the final period.

Soon however, everything was about to fall apart for the men from Riga with HK MVD going on a four-goal scoring spree to well and truly turn the game on its heels. Between the 3rd and 8th minute of the period, nine HK MVD players combined for four goals, leaving Dinamo Riga with little chance for the remainder of the evening.

With Latvian national trainer Olegs Znaroks training HK MVD and with most of the Latvian squad playing for Dinamo Riga, HK MVD have an obvious advantage with some strong inside knowledge of their opposition. It is something Dinamo Riga are going to have to work hard to counter if they are to keep their season alive. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]put the final period behind them before they take the ice again tomorrow evening.

Mārtiņš Cipulis has been one of the most consistent performers for Dinamo Riga this season without necessarily receiving the deserved credit. However, this evening he was center of attention when he put the visitors up 1-0 in the 17th minute of the opening period. After admitting to being frustrated with his form of late, Mārtiņš Karsums was visibly delighted after teaming up with Jānis Sprukts to provide the assist.

Throughout the second period, it was Dinamo Riga who were making the most opportunities but Matt Ellison was proving his worth in goal for HK MVD, on more than one occasion shutting out two-on-one attacks. Regardless it was Dinamo Riga carrying the momentum into the final period.

Soon however, everything was about to fall apart for the men from Riga with HK MVD going on a four-goal scoring spree to well and truly turn the game on its heels. Between the 3rd and 8th minute of the period, nine HK MVD players combined for four goals, leaving Dinamo Riga with little chance for the remainder of the evening.

With Latvian national trainer Olegs Znaroks training HK MVD and with most of the Latvian squad playing for Dinamo Riga, HK MVD have an obvious advantage with some strong inside knowledge of their opposition. It is something Dinamo Riga are going to have to work hard to counter if they are to keep their season alive. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]put the final period behind them before they take the ice again tomorrow evening.

Mārtiņš Cipulis has been one of the most consistent performers for Dinamo Riga this season without necessarily receiving the deserved credit. However, this evening he was center of attention when he put the visitors up 1-0 in the 17th minute of the opening period. After admitting to being frustrated with his form of late, Mārtiņš Karsums was visibly delighted after teaming up with Jānis Sprukts to provide the assist.

Throughout the second period, it was Dinamo Riga who were making the most opportunities but Matt Ellison was proving his worth in goal for HK MVD, on more than one occasion shutting out two-on-one attacks. Regardless it was Dinamo Riga carrying the momentum into the final period.

Soon however, everything was about to fall apart for the men from Riga with HK MVD going on a four-goal scoring spree to well and truly turn the game on its heels. Between the 3rd and 8th minute of the period, nine HK MVD players combined for four goals, leaving Dinamo Riga with little chance for the remainder of the evening.

With Latvian national trainer Olegs Znaroks training HK MVD and with most of the Latvian squad playing for Dinamo Riga, HK MVD have an obvious advantage with some strong inside knowledge of their opposition. It is something Dinamo Riga are going to have to work hard to counter if they are to keep their season alive. [/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]put the final period behind them before they take the ice again tomorrow evening.

Mārtiņš Cipulis has been one of the most consistent performers for Dinamo Riga this season without necessarily receiving the deserved credit. However, this evening he was center of attention when he put the visitors up 1-0 in the 17th minute of the opening period. After admitting to being frustrated with his form of late, Mārtiņš Karsums was visibly delighted after teaming up with Jānis Sprukts to provide the assist.

Throughout the second period, it was Dinamo Riga who were making the most opportunities but Matt Ellison was proving his worth in goal for HK MVD, on more than one occasion shutting out two-on-one attacks. Regardless it was Dinamo Riga carrying the momentum into the final period.

Soon however, everything was about to fall apart for the men from Riga with HK MVD going on a four-goal scoring spree to well and truly turn the game on its heels. Between the 3rd and 8th minute of the period, nine HK MVD players combined for four goals, leaving Dinamo Riga with little chance for the remainder of the evening.

With Latvian national trainer Olegs Znaroks training HK MVD and with most of the Latvian squad playing for Dinamo Riga, HK MVD have an obvious advantage with some strong inside knowledge of their opposition. It is something Dinamo Riga are going to have to work hard to counter if they are to keep their season alive. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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