Local boy Sapego defeats Dinamo!

5 March 2026

Belarus-born Sergei Sapego was the hero for SKA in Minsk, tallying the OT-winner to secure a dramatic 2:1 triumph over former employers Dinamo!

On the ropes for the majority of the latter two periods of regulation time, SKA displayed determination to hold on and subsequently earn a valuable smash-and-grab away win.

Our players had initially started the stronger in the opening frame, wasting two powerplay opportunities and forcing the Belarusian hosts to block 10 shots.

Dinamo did then predictably improve in the second period.

Matvei Polyakov made the breakthrough for SKA in the 32nd minute when lashing a rocket beyond Zach Fucale from distance, but Alex Limoges replied instantly for Minsk exactly 60 seconds later when beating the unsighted Sergei Ivanov with a whipped effort.

The opponents competed with the initiative in the ensuing third period, urgently searching for a decisive second marker.

And their incessant pressure should have paid off with just a few seconds remaining on the clock, as Sam Anas suddenly saw the unguarded goal open up before his gleeful eyes.

However, much to his and the home support’s dismay, Nikolai Goldobin heroically deflected his wrister wide of the mark.

Goldobin’s incredible interception did indeed prove crucial, with Sapego carefully backhanding between Fucale’s pads with only 18 seconds having been played in the extra period.

SKA will now prepare to face Dynamo in Moscow on Saturday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 19:30 local time.

Match protocol:

Dinamo Minsk – SKA – 1:2 OT (0:0, 1:1, 0:0, 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Polyakov (Vorobyov, Menell), 31.23

1:1 Limoges (Meloche), 32.23

1:2 Sapego (Korotky, Polyakov), 60.18

Goalkeepers: Fucale – Ivanov

Shots: 61 – 50

Shots on target: 35 – 27

Faceoffs: 33 – 18

Blocked shots: 14 – 19