Dinamo kept its playoff prospects alive with victory in this Baltic battle against Jokerit. After going to Great Britain for an exhibition game last week, Dinamo’s players talked of the value of a change of scenery and they took that refreshed attitude into this game.
The Latvians made a perfect start. With just 97 seconds played, Mathew Maione fired home the opening goal. In the second period, Jokerit was caught cold again when Andris Dzerins made it 2-0. Faced with a must-win game, Dinamo was rising to the occasion.
Admittedly, there were nervous moments to come. Alex Grant got a goal back for the visitor to set up an anxious third period. But Lauris Darzins scored an empty-netter to seal the win and keep Dinamo hard on the heels of Sochi.
khl.ru