Dinamo Minsk top Dynamo Moscow in shootout

Andrei Stepanov and Ryan Vesce scored shootout goals as Dinamo Minsk denied Dynamo Moscow comeback 3-2 on 13 January.

The Belarusian team, backed by a 15,086-strong arena, delivered once again extending their winning streak to four games.

Dmitry Meleshko opened the score with less than two minutes into the game. Minsk held the initiative throughout the first period but the score stood unchanged as the two teams went for the first break.

The Moscow players added speed in the middle stanza, restricting the hosts to the hope for counterattacks. However, despite numerous sharp attacks of the visitors, the second period went goalless, largely thanks to Minsk goalie Lars Haugen who stood strong to keep the opponent away from the net.

The Bisons opened the final period shorthanded after Charles Liglet was sent to the penalty box just before the second hooter. The Minskers allowed no power play goals in the span and got a chance to double the lead, but Charles Linglet's penalty shot was stopped by Alexander Sharychenkov.

Soon enough the guests tied the game through Alexander Osipov's power play in the 53rd minute.

Charles Linglet made up for his earlier failure and fed Ryan Vesce three minutes later for 2-1. The Muscovites were not ready to surrender and took the game into overtime after Maxim Solovyov leveled up with two minutes to play in regulation, also on a power play.

Andrei Stepanov and Ryan Vesce decided the shootout, while the Muscovites missed in both post-game attempts.

With 81 points Dinamo Minsk stay solid in 5th in the West. The Western Conference is topped by CSKA Moscow, SKA Saint Petersburg and Jokerit Helsinki. Dynamo Moscow go fourth.

Dinamo Minsk's next game is on Thursday, 15 January, against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which go 6th in the West, seven points behind. The Bisons will wrap up their home series with a game against Vityaz Moscow Region (60 points) on 17 January.