KHL
Dinamo Minsk – SKA St. Petersburg 2:1 (2:1 after SO)
after shootout (2:1)
HC Dinamo Minsk
2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 0:0 - 0:0)
SKA St. Petersburg
Wednesday 24.12.2014, 17:30 • Minsk Arena • KHL
     
    HC Dinamo Minsk have indeed seen off the challenge of SKA Saint Petersburg 2:1 after the penalty shootout! The hosts showed their character today, and can be satisfied with the two points. Nick Bailen's effort was added on to by Ryan Vesce's winning penalty shot, with Jimmie Ericsson grabbing SKA's only marker. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more exciting KHL action! (12:33:56)
     
    Game over.
     
    65:00
    HC Dinamo Minsk has won after the penalty shoot-out!
    RYAN VESCE scores the winning penalty shot!
     
    5. series
    2:1
    Evgeniy Ketov smacks the crossbar! It's all over now!
     
    5. series
    2:1
    Up steps Ryan Vesce again, and he scores exactly like he did the first time! 2:1!
     
    4. series
    1:1
    Dmitriy Kalinin also misses, as he blasts over the right hand post with the backhand!
     
    4. series
    1:1
    Ryan Vesce, who has already hit the net, has his second attempt, but this time he can't beat Mikko Koskinen's right pad!
     
    3. series
    1:1
    Andrey Stepanov can win it here for Dinamo, but no! He's denied by a wonder Mikko Koskinen save on the line! Sudden death it is!
     
    3. series
    1:1
    Pyotr Khokhryakov skates in with pace, again goes blocker side, and can't force it home!
     
    2. series
    1:1
    The home crowd rises for Jonathan Cheechoo, however their home favourite lashes over the bar!
     
    2. series
    1:1
    SKA's second taker is Evgeniy Ketov, and he cuts to the left before making it 1:1 expertly!
     
    1. series
    1:0
    Here's Ryan Vesce for Dinamo, and he fires home into the right hand corner! 1:0!
     
    1. series
    0:0
    Patrick Thoresen skates up first for SKA, cuts blocker side, but can't force it beyond Danny Taylor's right pad!
     
    Start of shootout.
     
    Statistics after overtime:

    Shots: 48-55
    Shots on target: 25-26
    Faceoffs: 35-28
    Hits: 17-16
    Penalty minutes: 12-12
     
    Penalty shots it is! It's been a hard fought battle out there, and if Dinamo are going to carry on their six game winning streak they're going to do it the hard way!
     
    65:00
    Overtime finished.
     
    64:50
    With a faceoff coming up deep inside Dinamo's zone SKA have taken a timeout, they know that this is a huge opportunity to take the win right here!
     
    64:50
    The final few seconds of overtime have already begun, and it does look as though penalty shots are going to have to decide the difference between these two!
     
    62:03
    The bobbling puck is thrown over SKA's defence, home forward Matt Ellison charges it down, and before he can take it under his spell Mikko Koskinen takes it up and freezes
     
    61:47
    Thoresen! Patrick Thoresen shields the puck with the backhand, eventually lets an effort go, and it isn't far wide of the far post on the left! That was promising for SKA!
     
    60:53
    Here we go in overtime! Both teams have already earned at least a point for themselves, with five minutes of play now coming up! And if there will be no goals, it will be penalty shots!
     
    60:01
    Overtime began.
     
    Statistics after the initial 60 minutes:

    Shots: 47-52
    Shots on target: 24-25
    Faceoffs: 32-27
    Hits: 16-16
    Penalty minutes: 14-12
     
    60:00
    3rd period finished.
     
    59:58
    It is indeed going to be overtime here in Minsk, with no one wanting to give this one up at all! What a dramatic match it's been!
     
    59:54
    Jimmie Ericsson almost forces his way down one on one, but he's clattered into when shaping to shoot! SKA aren't happy at all, however no penalty has been called on the play!
     
    59:03
    With already under a minute remaining Dinamo have taken a timeout. This game is really on a knife's edge, and any mistake could prove to be fatal!
     
    57:33
    Szczechrua! Wow, that had the Minsk Arena on its feet! Paul Szczechura bursts clean through, cuts left, and Mikko Koskinen makes a fantastic flying save to keep his team level!
     
    55:13
    Dadonov! That was an ideal chance to perhaps give SKA all the points! Evgeniy Dadonov has a two on one on his hands down the right flank, he takes on this shot himself, and he's stoned by the goalkeeper's glove!
     
    53:14
    Kalinin! The loose puck rolls back to Dmitriy Kalinin at the blue line, he absolutely hammers it, and Danny Taylor's right pad reacts in time to get something on it! That was hit with some power!
     
    51:56
    Ponikarovskiy! Alexey Ponikarovskiy shows his strength bullying his way to the crease from a difficult angle on the right, a huge scramble erupts, and in the end the whistle is blown on the play with sticks flying everywhere!
     
    49:50
    It's now a five on five hockey game again. It's starting to look as though it will be next goal wins, the margin of error is so fine today!
     
    49:22
    Maxim Chudinov dumps the puck into the danger area from the blue line, Danny Taylor lets a rebound escape on, and he's lucky that his defencemen were on hand to clear!
     
    47:50
    The referees aren't being given time in which to draw breath, and now Dinamo forward Sergey Drozd has made the home crowd very unhappy by being called for slashing
     
    47:32
    SKA are very relieved to see Dinar Khafizullin skate back out now to take them back to full strength. They're relying on their goaltender Mikko Koskinen to bail them out, he's on seriously good form!
     
    46:02
    Bailen! Dinamo are keeping on the heat well! Seconds after Matt Ellison had the door shut in his face blocker side Nick Bailen twists to the opposite flank, and has the same result with his wristed shot!
     
    45:32
    The visitors are beginning to get into penalty trouble here, and defenceman Dinar Khafizullin has been punished for interference against his opponent giving Dinamo their second powerplay on the bounce
     
    45:06
    SKA come back to full strength and again everyone is having to be calmed down! Anton Burdasov was pulled back when almost skating away clean through, and he didn't like that challenge at all!
     
    45:01
    Charles Linglet winds up for a huge slapper on the left faceoff circle, however a defender closing it down takes the pace off it and Mikko Koskinen kicks it around into the boards
     
    43:06
    The referee has his arm up and it's for a penalty against SKA, as their forward Alexey Ponikarovskiy has been sent for a sit down as a result of tripping
     
    42:08
    Materukhin! What an opportunity to give Dinamo the lead for the first time today! Alexander Materukhin is picked out on his own on the doorstep, he twists directly around, and the emerging Mikko Koskinen makes a superb diving save to keep the game level!
     
    41:12
    The third and deciding period is go! SKA will feel the need to poke their noses ahead again, but Dinamo are full of energy!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods:

    Shots: 32-33
    Shots on target: 15-14
    Faceoffs: 22-19
    Hits: 13-11
    Penalty minutes: 12-8
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:51
    With the puck flying from one end to another the final moments of the period are upon us, and it promises to be a fiery third coming up!
     
    39:09
    Icing is committed by Dinamo. The hosts reacted so well to going behind, whereas SKA will be disappointed to having conceded so quickly after going ahead!
     
    37:51
    Goal for Dinamo Minsk!
    What a reply from Dinamo! The Minsk Arena explodes into life! NICK BAILEN twists around to the left faceoff circle, wrists with power, and Mikko Koskinen reacts too late to keep it out! It's 1:1! Assists- Alexander Kulakov and Dmitriy Meleshko
     
    36:31
    Goal for SKA!
    There was a feeling that a goal was coming, and it's gone SKA's way! JIMMIE ERICSSON powers his way down the right wing, wrists near post, and he catches the netminder cold! It's 0:1! Assists- Dinar Khafizullin and Patrick Thoresen
     
    36:13
    A goalmouth scramble erupts here as the puck is whacked in from the right flank, Alexey Ponikarovskiy hacks away for it, and in the end Danny Taylor manages to lay on it to kill the danger!
     
    34:43
    SKA's Vadim Shipachyov has too much pace for the entire Dinamo back line, one on one he opts to go with the backhand upstairs, but Danny Taylor reads his tactic to make the save!
     
    34:08
    As SKA are back at full strength Dinamo have a two on one, Charles Linglet takes on the shot bearing down on the right, and he can only hit the netminder's midriff! Mikko Koskinen is on his game today!
     
    33:22
    Cheechoo! That looked sure to go in! Jonathan Cheechoo is brilliantly picked out charging all alone to the right of the crease, and Mikko Koskinen makes a superb save near post!
     
    32:23
    Nogachyov! Andrey Nogachyov thumps the puck with all his might blocker side from the point, and it smacks the side netting with some in the Minsk Arena thinking it had actually gone in! A goal is getting closer and closer!
     
    31:36
    As soon as Dinamo are back to full strength they've earned a man's advantage for themselves too! SKA defenceman Andrey Kuteikin has been handed a two minute minor for interference
     
    29:35
    Dinamo's discipline is letting them down at times and another penalty has been called against them, with forward Matt Ellison being found guilty of delaying the game
     
    29:13
    Nick Bailen lets a seriously powerful ripper go from the blue line, and with the puck crashing through plenty of bodies it's not far wide of the left hand post at all! The home fans rose in expectation there!
     
    27:32
    Stepanov! Andrey Stepanov strips his opponent of the puck glove side, cuts to the slot all alone, and has his backhanded shut down by Mikko Koskinen! The openings are coming now!
     
    27:06
    Martensson! That was very close to finding its way in! Tony Martensson rather in hope that in expectation takes aim from the left hand boards, and only at the last minute does the goalkeeper react!
     
    25:57
    Anton Burdasov takes up the loose puck on the right, pulls back out to the faceoff circle, and his off balance wrist shot is covered well by Danny Taylor
     
    25:16
    Nogachyov! Evgeniy Nogachyov finishes off a lengthy Dinamo attack by thrashing the puck through heavy traffic, and tumbling on to his chest Mikko Koskinen takes it up at the second attempt!
     
    23:45
    Alexander Kadeikin dumps the puck in from deep, and Danny Taylor sweeps it up into his glove taking no chances. He can expect to have a lot more work to do as the game wears on!
     
    21:50
    Dinamo have survived that particular scare and are back at full strength, they had to weather some hairy moments there as SKA put the pressure on much better!
     
    21:01
    Dmitriy Kalinin blasts the puck from the blue line, and he puts his hands up in triumphant fashion! It has been reviewed on video though, and it's a no goal! We play on at 0:0!
     
    20:19
    The second stanza is go! SKA haven't created an awful lot so far, however they are still on the powerplay for 01:50!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play:

    Shots: 13-10
    Shots on target: 6-2
    Faceoffs: 8-8
    Hits: 7-9
    Penalty minutes: 10-6
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:50
    Just before the first period was about to end Dinamo are going to have to defend on the penalty kill again, as for high sticking against Vadim Shipachyov Paul Szczcheura has been penalised
     
    18:42
    Kalyuzhniy! The momentum is well and truly with Dinamo now! Alexey Kalyuzhniy gathers up the puck at an awkward angle on the left he lashes it across, and after a cunning deflection the goaltender spreads himself big to cover!
     
    17:34
    Koskinen! For the first time today Mikko Koskinen is called into serious action! Glove side he has to deal with two sharp wristers from point blank range. and he does excellently to block both of them!
     
    15:19
    We have a fight on our hands! Pavel Chernook has completely taken out SKA forward Evgeniy Dadonov, and his teammate Dmitriy Kalinin has gone over to him to have a few words, or more like a few punches! Both are off to the penalty box for roughing minors
     
    13:14
    Not a lot was created during that time and SKA have five players on the ice again. It's been a rather tight period so far, with neither defence giving up much at all!
     
    11:18
    Bailen! Directly off that following faceoff draw Nick Bailen tries his luck from the point, and Mikko Koskinen fields his shot well to catch
     
    11:14
    Dinamo are slowly finding their feet and they've been rewarded with a powerplay, as SKA's Andrey Kuteikin has been called for hooking
     
    08:03
    Jonathan Cheechoo drifts right, when falling on to his knees still gets an attempt away, and Mikko Koskinen is grateful to see it fly wide of the far post!
     
    07:27
    All the chances are being created by SKA early on, they're working the puck well deep towards Dinamo's goal, however the hosts are physically strong
     
    05:27
    Khokryakov! SKA's new signing Pyotr Khokhryakov speeds down the right wing, takes on a rising wrister, and goaltender Danny Taylor gets his body in the way solidly!
     
    04:29
    SKA got themselves set up inside the attacking zone well but couldn't find any shooting opportunities, and Dinamo are back at full strength. Dinamo did look solid during that penalty kill!
     
    02:29
    We have a very early penalty here and it's been handed against the hosts, with defenceman Pavel Chernook being punished for interference
     
    01:39
    Dinamo's Charles Linglet tricks his way to the right of the SKA crease, backhands it across dangerously, and no one is quick enough to get on the end of it
     
    00:37
    Here we go inside the Minsk Arena! The stadium is full to the brim, with a wonderful atmosphere here!
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now being presented to the expectant crowd, and after the Belarusian and Russian national anthems we'll be getting underway!
     
    Starting lineups:

    HC Dinamo Minsk: Taylor (Milchakov)- Bailen, Goroshko, Kalyuzhniy, Cheechoo, Szczechura- Nogachyov, Kaznadey, Linglet, Ellison, Vesce- Lisovets, Shinkevich, Kulakov, Meleshko, Materukhin- Chernook, Drozd, Stepanov, Razvadovskiy

    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Rukavishnikov, Martensson, Ericsson, Thoresen- Kuteikin, N Belov, Ketov, Dadonov, Shipachyov- Chudinov, A Belov, Ponikarovskiy, Barabanov, Kadeikin- Y Alexandrov, Khafizullin, Kablukov, Burdasov, Khokhryakov

    Referees: Vladislav Kiselyov, Eduard Odins, Yuris Balodis, Yakov Paley.
     
    Last season Dinamo reached the Nadezhda Cup final, whereas SKA made the Gagarin Cup quarter finals.
     
    Not much was expected from Dinamo before the season got underway but they have been brilliant so far, securing themselves into sixth place of the Western Conference with 64 points. SKA are in third of the same conference on 83 points, but have won only one out of their past five outings.
     
    Good afternoon and welcome to this KHL regular season match between HC Dinamo Minsk and SKA Saint Petersburg. This should turn out to be a very even game, with Dinamo full of confidence at home.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 17:30.

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals and assists: 38. Bailen (Kulakov, Meleshko), dec. goal Vesce – 37. Ericsson (Khafizullin, Thoresen)

    Shootout:

    1. series:
    0:0   Thoresen (PET)
    1:0   Vesce (MIN)
    2. series:
    1:1   Ketov (PET)
    1:1   Cheechoo (MIN)
    3. series:
    1:1   Khokhryakov (PET)
    1:1   Stepanov (MIN)
    4. series:
    1:1   Vesce (MIN)
    1:1   Kalinin (PET)
    5. series:
    2:1   Vesce (MIN)
    2:1   Ketov (PET)


    HC Dinamo Minsk: Taylor (Milchakov)- Bailen, Goroshko, Kalyuzhniy, Cheechoo, Szczechura- Nogachyov, Kaznadey, Linglet, Ellison, Vesce- Lisovets, Shinkevich, Kulakov, Meleshko, Materukhin- Chernook, Drozd, Stepanov, Razvadovskiy
    SKA St. Petersburg: Koskinen (Ivannikov)- Kalinin, Rukavishnikov, Martensson, Ericsson, Thoresen- Kuteikin, N Belov, Ketov, Dadonov, Shipachyov- Chudinov, A Belov, Ponikarovskiy, Barabanov, Kadeikin- Y Alexandrov, Khafizullin, Kablukov, Burdasov, Khokhryakov

    Referees: Vladislav Kiselyov, Eduard Odins, Yuris Balodis, Yakov Paley