MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – HC Dinamo Minsk lost their first playoff encounter of the KHL 9th season 1-2 to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on 21 February, BelTA has learned.
The third-period goals from Yegor Korshkov and Petri Kontiola proved a victory for the home team. However, home goalie Alexei Murygin also had to be at his best as the Belarusian team had its chances to leave the ice victorious.
Dinamo Minsk goaltender looked sharp as well denying Alexander Kadeikin and Artyom Ilyenko midway through the first stanza.
Yegor Korshkov broke the deadlock in the 45th minute. Vladislav Gavrikov collected the puck behind the goal and fed Pavel Kraskovsky on the slot. His attempted shot was blocked, but Yegor Korshkov picked up the rebound and squeezed the puck home from a tight angle.
Alexei Murygin was back in action almost immediately to deny Rob Klinkhammer twice from close range, but a power play for the home team saw Petri Kontiola double the lead for Loko.
Matt Ellison reduced the deficit with eight minutes to play, scoring from a tight angle, but Dinamo could not find a way to tie the game.
Lokomotiv lead the series 1-0. The second match is due in Yaroslavl on 23 February.
