Gagarin Cup playoffs. SKA - Dinamo Minsk. Introducing the opponents

PREVIOUS MEETINGS DURING 2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON

05.01.2021. Dinamo Minsk - SKA - 4:3 OT (Mitchell 11:24, Varfolomeev 25:19, Prince 55:01, 61:00; Vey 08:44, Burdasov 27:25, 46:18)

27.02.2021. SKA - Dinamo Minsk - 4:2 (Galimov 16:37, 54:18, Aaltonen 18:48, Morozov 26:38; Mosalyov 42:08, Pare 42:24)

STANDINGS IN 2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON

6. SKA, 33 regulation victories, 2 overtime victories, 2 penalty shootout victories, 15 regulation defeats, 4 overtime defeats, 4 penalty shootout defeats, goal difference 178-126, 82 points

15. Dinamo Minsk, 17 regulation victories, 10 overtime victories, 5 penalty shootout victories, 25 regulation defeats, 2 overtime defeats, 1 penalty shootout defeat, goal difference 167-174, 67 points

POINTS LEADERS IN 2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON

SKA

Vladimir Tkachyov: 38 (11+27)

Anton Burdasov: 37 (23+14)

Andrei Kuzmenko: 37 (18+19)

Ivan Morozov: 31 (13+18)

Joonas Kemppainen: 29 (15+14)

DINAMO MINSK

Shane Prince: 49 (25+24)

Ryan Spooner: 39 (6+33)

Brennan Menell: 38 (5+33)

Brandon Kozun: 32 (17+15)

Rob Klinkhammer: 26 (15+11)

This is the first time when SKA and Dinamo Minsk will meet in the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Overall, these two clubs have competed against each other on 30 occasions in KHL history, with SKA earning a grand total of 19 victories in those particular games. The goal difference stands at 97-60 in SKA’s favour.

Dinamo Minsk caught the eye during the regular season. Coached by Canadian manager Craig Woodcroft, the Belarusians earned plenty of admirers with their aggressive, attack-minded approach throughout the campaign, never being afraid to take the game to their opponents and shoot from any possible angle. However, while Minsk did manage to score 167 goals in 60 regular season matches, they did contrive to concede 174 with their defence often being left somewhat exposed. It will certainly be interesting to see if Woodcroft opts to change tack and choose a more cautious approach in the playoffs.

We must also note that Dinamo Minsk were the overtime kings of the regular season. Ruthless on 3-on-3 play, the Belarusian club tallied 10 overtime wins, more than any other team in the league. Nevertheless, if overtime is required in the playoffs, play will continue with the 5-on-5 format.

Their top forward line consisting of Shane Prince (25+24), Zack Mitchell (5+12) and Ryan Spooner (6+33) is capable of practically winning games on their own, while defenseman Brennan Menell (5+33) is a dangerous figure at the blue line. Former Jokerit Helsinki, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Metallurg Magnitogorsk forward Brandon Kozun (17+15) has added plenty of experience and quality since joining the organisation last summer.

Veteran forwards Denis Mosalyov (2012, 2013), Francis Pare (2014) and Rob Klinkhammer (2018) have all previously won the Gagarin Cup with Dynamo Moscow, Metallurg and Ak Bars Kazan respectively. The last time when Dinamo Minsk participated in the playoffs was in 2017.

GOALKEEPING STATISTICS DURING 2020/2021 REGULAR SEASON

SKA

Yaroslav Askarov: 9 matches, 95.1%, 1.21, 1 shutout

Magnus Hellberg: 21 matches, 93.0%, 1.89, 2 shutouts

Alexander Samonov: 22 matches, 92.5%, 2.02. 2 shutouts

Mikhail Berdin: 14 matches, 91.2%, 2.51, 1 assist

DINAMO MINSK

Alexei Kolosov: 9 matches, 91.1%, 2.69, 1 shutout

Nikita Tolopilo: 3 matches, 89.7%, 2.71, 1 assist

Dominik Furch: 41 matches, 90.3%, 2.75, 1 shutout, 1 assist

Danny Taylor: 12 matches, 87.7%, 3.40, 1 shutout

Yesterday, at his press-conference ahead of the first round of the playoffs, SKA head coach Valeri Bragin confirmed that 25-year-old Russian international Alexander Samonov will be the starting goalkeeper for our team in the first game of the series. 30-year-old Czech goaltender Dominik Furch is widely expected to start in net for Dinamo Minsk.

SERIES SCHEDULE

March 2, 4: Saint Petersburg

March 6, 8: Minsk

March 10: Saint Petersburg*

March 12: Minsk*

March 14: Saint Petersburg*

*If required

Live text updates of all the matches will be provided on our official Twitter account. Video broadcasts of the games can be purchased on the KHL’s website.