Atlant keeps play-off hopes alive

Two third-period goals in two minutes lifted Atlant to a slender 4-3 win over Dinamo Minsk, keeping the Moscow Region team’s play-off hopes alive.

Going into the game the home team knew that only victory would suffice as it tried to claw back a five-point deficit on HC Sochi and Torpedo and climb into the top eight.

And after 40 minutes home prospects seemed to be fading fast. Two goals from Charles Linglet either side of Alexander Kulakov’s strike saw Dinamo leading 3-2. Artyom Chernov posted two markers for Atlant.

But the game turned around in the final session. Defenseman Mikhail Tyulyapkin tied it up in the 47th minute with a shot from the blue line after strong pressing in the Dinamo zone.

Two minutes later it was 4-3. Andrei Taratukhin got the game-winner after rushing to the net and firing across the face of goal into the top corner.

There was still time for Atlant goalie Atte Engren to make a big save in the last minute to deny Alexander Materukhin but Dinamo could not force an equalizer.