Game one. SKA - Dynamo Moscow

Game one. SKA - Dynamo Moscow - 2:3 OT

8 March 2017

In Saint Petersburg, SKA took on Dynamo Moscow for game one of their 2016/2017 KHL playoffs second round series. Head coach Oleg Znarok gave Alexander Dergachyov his first appearance of the post-season, placing him into the fourth line. Mikko Koskinen and Alexander Yeryomenko were the starting goalkeepers.

Traditionally one of SKA’s most tricky KHL opponents, Dynamo made life difficult for our team in the first period. Unfortunately, to the dismay of the Ice Palace, the first goal went the way of the visitors: hanging on the crease, Maxim Karpov reacted quickest to turn a loose puck between Mikko Koskinen’s pads. That gave Dynamo the opportunity to sit back and soak up SKA pressure, refusing to give our players any clear looks. Nikolai Prokhorkin had SKA’s best chance, having his backhander saved by Alexander Yeryomenko when clean through.

Thankfully, SKA took their game up a notch in the second stanza, equalising after just four minutes. Dynamo lost possession, our second line broke down the middle and Nikita Gusev completed a flowing play. On terms, SKA took the initiative, piling the pressure on Dynamo’s net. However, failing to make use of their opportunities, the players were punished midway through. Alone on the right faceoff circle, Maxim Karpov blasted a strong shot over Mikko Koskinen’s glove to give Dynamo their second lead.

Chasing the game, SKA had to throw everything at Dynamo. Fortunately, the Moscow outfit were in the mood for helping. Dynamo took four penalties in a row, eventually allowing SKA to draw level for the second time. Pavel Datsyuk skated to the doorstep, escaped the attentions of the away defence and slotted beyond the netminder. With so much hinging on the next goal, both teams opted to shut up shop, not willing to take any risks in the remaining time.

Overtime it was, and Dynamo thought that they had scored immediately. Martins Karsums bundled the puck over the line, but after video review, it was determined that the net had already been dislodged from its moorings. Nevertheless, after SKA were caught out with too many men in the final few minutes, Dynamo did score their winning goal. It was that man Maxim Karpov again, as at point blank range, he managed to knock home a juicy rebound. 2:3, SKA lose the first match of the second round series.

Match protocol:

SKA – Dynamo Moscow – 2:3 OT (0:1, 1:1, 1:0 – 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Karpov (Tereshchenko, Mironov), 05.27

1:1 Gusev (Dadonov, Shipachyov), 23.22

1:2 Karpov (Nikulin, Tereshchenko), 34.39

2:2 Datsyuk (Chudinov, Shirokov), 53.33

2:3 Karpov (Nikulin, Hietanen), 77.49

Goalkeepers: Koskinen – Yeryomenko

Shots on target: 39 – 28

Penalty minutes: 8 – 14

Faceoffs: 45 – 31