Dinamo Minsk secured a spirited 4-2 comeback win against Severstal on September 26th, maintaining their impressive home unbeaten run and clinching their third consecutive victory in the KHL.
Under the astute guidance of coach Dmitry Kvartalnov, Dinamo Minsk has been in formidable form, consistently collecting points in five straight matches and preserving an impeccable home record this season. Their success included earlier victories against Barys (1:0 OT) and Torpedo (3:2). For the pivotal clash against Severstal, defenseman Brady Lyle returned to the lineup, playing alongside Xavier Ouellet in the top defensive pair, while Daniil Sotishvili was integrated into the third forward line. Zach Fucale was named the starting goaltender.
Severstal, led by head coach Andrei Kozyrev, arrived in Minsk following a decisive 4-2 win over Sibir but also a 2-1 loss to reigning champions Lokomotiv in Yaroslavl. Coach Kozyrev made minor adjustments to his squad, primarily reshuffling the forward lines with Timur Mukhanov moving to the second line and Ilya Kvochko to the fourth. Daniil Bokun entered the lineup as the eighth defenseman, replacing forward Nikolai Chebykin.
Game Recap
First Period: Cautious Start, Severstal Strikes First
The game commenced with both teams adopting a cautious approach, resulting in limited scoring opportunities. Severstal showed a slight edge in puck possession in the offensive zone. Despite incurring several penalties, Dinamo Minsk`s penalty kill unit held strong. However, Kirill Tankov broke the deadlock in even strength with a masterful shot that initially went unnoticed by the referees but was confirmed as a goal after a video review, putting Severstal ahead. Dinamo`s accumulation of six penalty minutes in the opening frame hampered their ability to generate sustained offense.
Second Period: Dinamo`s Power Play Resurgence
The second period saw Dinamo Minsk turn the tide decisively. They capitalized on Severstal`s penalties, scoring two goals within a two-minute span. Robert Hamilton tied the game shortly after a Severstal penalty for too many men had expired, while Vadim Shipachyov then gave Dinamo the lead with a classic 5-on-4 power-play goal. Although Severstal managed to equalize through Ioannis Kaldis, who tapped in a rebound after a shot from Danil Aimurzin, Shipachyov quickly responded with his second goal of the night on a swift counter-attack, restoring Dinamo`s lead before the second intermission.
Third Period: Solid Defense and Empty-Netter
Severstal began the third period with a power play but failed to convert. At even strength, Dinamo’s goaltender Zach Fucale narrowly avoided a costly error when Ivan Podshivalov shot wide after a defensive breakdown. Severstal pushed hard for an equalizer, attempting to establish an offensive presence, but Dinamo`s defense held firm, and they frequently launched dangerous counter-attacks. Stanislav Galiev had a breakaway opportunity but couldn`t convert. In the dying minutes, Severstal pulled their goaltender in a desperate attempt to tie the game, but Vitaly Pinchuk seized the opportunity to score into an empty net, securing a 4-2 victory for Dinamo Minsk and sealing their third consecutive win.
Three Stars of the Game
Vadim Shipachyov: Scored two crucial goals, including the game-winner, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Vadim Moroz: Contributed significantly with two assists and three shots on goal, driving Dinamo`s offense.
Vitaly Pinchuk: Tallied a goal (empty-netter), demonstrated strong play in the faceoff circle by winning 55% of his draws (10 of 18), and made one takeaway.