Moroz hits three in Dinamo romp. September 13 round-up

Vadim Moroz was the hero for Dinamo Minsk as the Belarusians powered to a 5-1 in Astana. His hat-trick leaves Barys still seeking its first win of the season. Friday’s other game ended in a 2-1 win for Lada at Vityaz thanks to a short-handed tally from Evgeny Groshev.

Moroz hat-trick adds to Barys woe

Barys Astana 1 Dinamo Minsk 5 (0-0, 1-2, 0-3)

A hat-trick from Vadim Moroz froze out Mike McLeod’s first goal for Barys as Dinamo recorded its third win in four games this season. The result leaves Barys still seeking its first victory. The Kazakhs are the last team in the KHL without a win, having taken one point from an overtime loss against Neftekhimik in its first game.

Dinamo had the better of the first period, outshooting the home team 16-6, but failing to convert that into a lead. At the start of the second, Barys had the puck in the net but a bench challenge saw the play ruled out for interference on goaltender Andrei Kareyev.

That incident was the overture to a scoring rush that brought three goals in two minutes. Vadim Moroz put Dinamo in front on 22:23, but Barys drew level 90 seconds later thanks to Mike McLeod. Adil Beketayev won possession in center ice and his pass sent McLeod away on a three-on-one break to score his first goal in the KHL. Home celebrations were cut short, though, when Moroz potted his second of the game. He fired home a one-timer from the left-hand circle off a cross-ice feed from Brady Lyle.

In the middle frame, Dinamo enjoyed even greater dominance of the play. The shot count was 23-9 in the visitor’s favor and the Belarusians had almost twice as much attacking possession.

Early in the third, the visitor was forced to change its goalie. Kareyev was fouled by Wade Ellison and could not continue, bringing Yegor Velmakin into the game. While Ellison sat out his minor penalty, Barys thought it had a short-handed goal. However, for the second time in the night, a successful bench challenge denied the home team. This time, the sharp-eyed Minsk coaching staff spotted an offside in the build-up.

Dinamo put the game out of reach in the 57th minute when Dillon Dube made it 3-1. The 26-year-old Canadian has now scored in each of his last three games for Minsk. However, this one was unusual: Dube stuffed the puck into the net from close range, the ref waved play on pending a review and the forward then fouled an opponent. When the play was checked, the goal was awarded but instead of celebrating Dube sat out a high sticking minor.

Barys responded by withdrawing goalie Nikita Boyarkin, only to give up a short-handed empty net goal to Daniil Sotishvili. Back in five-on-five play, Moroz completed his hat-trick to turn the final scoreline into a rout.

Short-handed effort sinks Vityaz

Vityaz Moscow Region 1 Lada Togliatti 2 (1-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Lada posted a second successive victory, shrugging off an early goal to win at Vityaz. The home team was hoping to finish its five-game home stand with a third victory of the season, but Pavel Desyatkov’s men were undone Evgeny Groshev’s short-handed goal midway through the third period.

Vityaz made the better start and took the lead in the fourth minute. Ivan Vorobyov took possession in the circle and wired a wrister beyond visiting goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky. After that, both teams could make a case for having the edge. Lada enjoyed more attacking possession, while Vityaz had more shots, both on and off target. However, late in the frame the Motormen tied the scores when Groshev went behind the net to set up Vladislav Chervonenko.

The second period was goalless and there was little to choose between the teams. Frustrations spilled over a little on the hooter, and Lada’s Andrei Altybarmakyan tangled with Yegor Voronkov. Both began the third period in the box.

Early in the third, Vorobyov had a great chance for his second goal. However, Podyapolsky read his intentions well and closed down his rush. Then Yegor Chernikov sat for high sticks, but the double minor led to Lada grabbing the lead with a short handed strike. After Maxim Dorozhko fielded the puck behind the Vityaz net, Ostap Safin forced a turnover in the home zone. His pass set up Groshev, who drilled home his shot from the left-hand circle to put the visitor ahead.

That was the end of the scoring. Vityaz piled forward in the closing stages in search of a tying goal. But Lada’s defense was disciplined and even two-and-a-half minutes of six-on-five play could not change the final outcome.