MOSCOW — Dinamo Riga have come crashing back to earth, going down 4-2 to MVD.

This season Dinamo Riga have been something of a bogey team for Spartak, but in return MVD are becoming something of a bogey team for Riga. Perhaps it is the added pressure of performing in front of the Latvian coach, Oleg Znaroks who also coaches MVD, or the fact that both teams play a similar style. Whatever it is, Dinamo Riga has failed to deliver against the Muscovites in their last two meetings.

Ten minutes into the game and Vladimar Gorbonov was on his way to a rare hat-trick, putting the home-side up 2-0 and placing c on the back-foot.

Thankfully the goal-scoring was stemmed and when the next goal did come, 38 seconds into the second period it was in favor of the visitors with Canadian Mike Iggulden collecting a rare goal, courtesy of some fine lead u work from Alexandrs Ņiživijs and Mārtiņš Cipulis.

The third period started in similar style to the second, with Dinamo Riga again scoring within the first minute. It was another Dinamo Riga player that does not often appear on the score-sheet with Rodrigo Lavins enjoying a return to the team.

So tied 2-2 and the momentum was in Dinamo Riga’s favor. Unfortunately the energy did not stay with them as MVD came to life controlling the closing stages of the match to add another two goals. With Lee Sweatt having a forced rest in the penalty box Yuri Banbenko was quick to strike scoring his team’s third, before former Dinamo Riga player Matt Ellison struck the telling blow with just over eight minutes remaining.

Dinamo Riga will now enjoy a rest over the weekend before traveling to Liepāja on Monday to take on Nefhetimik. Fortunately other results have gone in their favor, keeping them just outside of playoff contention.