Minsk wins Dinamo derby

Dinamo Minsk 2
Dinamo Riga 0

The final KHL game before the international break brought together two teams needing a win to stay in touch with the play-off race. The Belarusians had the slight edge going into the game, and that was how it proved on the night.

Ryan Vesce got things rolling for Dinamo Minsk in the 5th minute and Paul Szczechura doubled that lead in the second period. Riga, meanwhile, struggled to create much in the opening two stanzas, mustering just seven shots on Kevin Lalande’s net in the opening 40 minutes.

These days, of course, no situation seems impossible for the Latvians. The final period saw more pressure on the home team but Lalande stood firm to turn away a further 12 shots and secure a shut-out win that puts Dinamo Minsk one point outside the play-off zone.