Resolute defense and clinical finishing saw Dynamo Moscow breeze past Medvescak in Zagreb. The home side had come within a minute of a massive shock when it visited Moscow earlier this year, but there was to be no danger of a repeat once Maxim Karpov set the Blue-and-Whites on their way to a 5-0 victory in the third minute.
Medvescak, usually so dangerous at home, found it difficult to impose its attacking game against a Dynamo back line which welcomed back Filip Novak (pictured) for his first appearance in more than two months. He marked his return with an assist on Alexander Ryazantsev’s goal, but found himself in the penalty box as Denis Mosalyov scored the best goal of the night. With his team shorthanded he collected a Maxim Pestushko pass in his own zone and embarked on a dazzling solo run, bamboozling two defensemen before beating Barry Brust.
After that display of individual flair, Dynamo also produced a terrific team goal in the second period. Slick passing from Yury Babenko and Alexei Tsvetkov found Konstantin Glazachev all alone to score on the exposed Mark Dekanich. Pestushko completed the scoring in the closing minutes, while Alexander Yeryomenko had 34 saves for his shut-out.
Magnitka took an early lead through Evgeny Timkin, but Severstal fought hard and it remained a one-goal game until the 55th minute. Finally, though, the home team crumbled. Francis Pare added to his two goals against Spartak before Sergei Tereshchenko and Oskar Osala completed the scoring. Vasily Koshechkin made 29 saves.
There was another shoot-out after Vityaz and Spartak tied 3-3, and once again it went to the home team. Vyacheslav Solodukhin gave Vityaz the verdict after Oleg Kvasha’s third-period goal for Spartak forced overtime.
Donbass played out a 2-2 tie for the second game running – but this time the shoot-out went against the Donetsk team. Torpedo’s Wojtek Wolski finally settled it with the 16th post-game shot; earlier Vladimir Galuzin scored twice for Torpedo.
Michal Vondrka scored twice as Slovan recovered a 0-2 deficit to sink Neftekhimik 4-2.
