KHL.ru continues its review of the season for each of the 24 clubs that contested the 2021-2022 season. Dinamo Riga did not make the playoffs, finishing 12th in the Western Conference. In the overall standings, only Admiral and Kunlun Red Star finished below the Latvians.
Despite the overall outcome there were some highlights for Dinamo. In October the team had three straight wins, scoring four goals in each of those games. They also scored four on Metallurg but lost that one in a shoot-out. However, the Latvians then hit a skid, losing 10 of their next 12 games including damaging defeats to direct playoff rivals Sochi and Severstal (twice). Dinamo never really recovered and finished the campaign with 37 points (41.11% of the potential maximum).
Top players
29 games, 20 (13+7) points, −6
This forward unexpectedly emerged as a leader this season. Despite making his debut back in 2014, he had never previously had more than three points in one campaign. Highlights included a four-game productive streak in September, two goals against Sochi (his first double in the KHL) and 4 (1+3) points in a game against Salavat Yulaev.
36 games, 18 (3+15) points, −10
At the age of 37 this long-term leader on the team continues to maintain high standards. He could not quite break the 40-point barrier again this year, but he continues to bring the best out of his team-mates and seize the initiative in the big moments. Darzins’ most memorable game was the 4-1 win over Dynamo Moscow, when the captain scored one goal and assisted on two others.
31 games, 11 (5+6) points, −7
This blue liner played more than 20 minutes each night and was a defensive leader for Dinamo this season. While coping well with his core duties on the ‘D’, Cibulskis also chipped in with regular contributions on offense — in that game against Dynamo, he scored twice.
Coaching
Before the start of the season, Dinamo hoped to make the playoffs, counting on new head coach Sergei Zubov to repeat his achievements with a modest roster at Sochi. But Zubov only remained in Riga until Oct. 21 before leaving his post for personal reasons. Valerijs Kulibaba served as interim head coach for more than a month before he was replaced by the legendary Vladimir Krikunov at the end of November. However, not even that veteran could keep the team in playoff contention as frequent changes behind the bench took their toll on the team.
Best game
The Latvians entertained Dynamo Moscow on the back of a four-game losing streak. However, within two minutes Cibulskis opened the scoring with a power play goal. The visitor replied thanks to an Anton Wedin marker, but could not stay out of the box. Two more goals on the PP saw Cibulskis and Gints Meija build a 3-1 lead before Darzins found the empty net to wrap up the win.
Young players
Last season, Dinamo Riga had seven players under the age of 23. Four of them, Erik Vitols, Arturs Andzans, Deniss Vilmans and Patriks Zabusovs played fewer than five games each. Defenseman Miks Tumanovs had six appearances with an average game time of 14:14. The most active youngsters on the team were defenseman Patriks Ozols (42 games, 2+2) and forward Janis Svanenbergs (17 games, 1+1) who made a decent contribution this season.
