Murphy the hero again as SKA outlast Dynamo!

8 November 2025

Trevor Murphy was the hero for the second consecutive match, as the Canadian defenseman broke Dynamo’s hearts with a late dagger to fire SKA to a dramatic 3:2 triumph in Moscow!

SKA were on the ropes for the majority of the third frame after Dynamo had equalised early on. But, after successfully weathering the storm, Murphy’s one-timer caught Vladislav Podyapolsky knapping and secured a memorable away win.

The first period, which wasn’t overly eventful, was largely controlled by the hosts, who were regularly causing us problems on the slot with their aggressive approach.

They quickly made their pressure count in the seventh minute.

Having completed escaped his marker, Jordan Weal had no trouble in tapping Dylan Sikura’s pass home from point-blank range.

Although we were testing home goalkeeper Podyapolsky from distance on a regular basis, Dynamo were the more threatening team. As the Muscovites began to press with more intent, Yegor Zavragin had to make a series of challenging saves with the opponents’ first line particularly – and predictably – standing out.

SKA regrouped and turned the game on its head in the second stanza.

In stark contrast to the first period, our players were now bossing the play across the ice, keeping Dynamo at arm’s length while creating clear shooting lanes at the other end.

Joseph Blandisi cleverly tipped Murphy’s shot past Podyapolsky while playing on the PP to grab our deserved equaliser in the 23rd minute.

Dynamo almost retook the lead not long later. The home fans were sure that the puck had gone in, but the referees immediately signalled that Maxime Comtois’ fierce wrister from the right circle had crashed against both posts.

SKA then opened up their maiden advantage of the evening midway through the stanza.

Unmarked between the circles, Marat Khairullin gave Podyapolsky no chance with a firm wrister.

More chances came and went for us throughout the remainder of the period. Murphy and Khairullin came close with searing attempts, while Blandisi took too long before shooting when all alone at the high slot on the powerplay.

Given how lax Dynamo were in the second period, they were always going to step it up in the third.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Sikura wasted no time in getting the home team back on level terms on the PP, beating the unsighted Zavragin with an accurate wrist shot from the right flank.

Moments later, Artyom Ilyenko really should have put Dynamo in front, but he whacked wide of the mark with Zavragin already beaten.

Dynamo were pressing with increased urgency. However, displaying determination and character, SKA held on for dear life and landed the killer blow in the 58^th minute with Murphy’s effort simply too hot for Podyapolsky to handle.

The opponents promptly pulled Podyapolsky for the extra skater, but a last-gasp hooking foul from Weal put paid to their hopes of forcing overtime.

SKA will now prepare to face Avangard in Omsk on Monday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 16:30 Moscow time.

Match protocol:

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

Goals:

1:0 Weal (Sikura, Sharakanov), 06.01

1:1 Blandisi (Murphy, Khairullin), 22.51 PPG

1:2 Khairullin (Vorobyov), 30.20

2:2 Sikura (Sharakanov, Comtois), 44.49 PPG

2:3 Murphy (Savikov, Blandisi), 57.30

Goalkeepers: Podyapolsky – Zavragin

Shots: 67 – 54