HC Dinamo Minsk finished its series of home matches against Vityaz (Moscow Region). The previous meeting had seen the Minsk squad celebrate victory, so the last was a ‘return match’ for both teams. Sadly, fortune smiled on the Moscow guests at Minsk Arena.
The capital’s Bisons began well, but Vityaz were determined to score, leading to the 4th minute goal by Vyacheslav Solodukhin. However, this was quickly followed by Alexey Makeev’s use of a combination to send the puck into the net. In the second period, Dinamo’s Jonathan Cheechoo used ‘power play’ and once again proved his skill in taking a puck to its final destination.
After the break, Jonathan’s initiatives were deflected by Maxim Mamin and Haugen’s net was again assaulted (with referees turning to video footage). The puck crossed the line of the net along with Lars’ shin pads.
Within 90 seconds, Dinamo’s Maxim Afinogenov had scored and Dmitry Milchakov was moved into goal (playing for the first time after much time off with an injury). As if having ‘rebooted’, the Minsk squad scored again, thanks to the inimitable Cheechoo: a true master.
Nevertheless, Vityaz had the last word, as Mario Kempe scored in the final minutes, sending a puck into Dinamo’s empty net.
Despite losing the home series match, the Bisons may be playing their best ever season in the Kontinental League, and are in fifth place in the Western Conference. Fans now have new idols to cheer and chant for at Minsk Arena: Cheechoo and Ellison, Bailen and Szczechura. Happily, attendance of home matches is breaking all records.
By Kirill Karin
