Dinamo Minsk showcased their dominance with a commanding 6-2 victory over Kunlun Red Star during their latest KHL regular season matchup on March 3, 2025. This triumph marks their seventh consecutive win, underscoring their impressive form as they march toward the playoffs.
At the Minsk-Arena, packed with 14,008 spectators, the home team wasted no time asserting their authority. The scoring commenced early when Vadim Moroz found the net, converting on the power play just three minutes and 17 seconds after the puck dropped. The goal came from Moroz's sharp finish off a precise pass from teammate Andrei Stas.
The first period concluded with Dinamo holding onto their 1-0 lead, but it was the second period where they truly took flight. Brady Lail ignited the scoring spree just 21 seconds after the second period commenced, shooting accurately from long range. Shortly thereafter, the momentum continued as Alexander Volkov executed a smooth entry to set up Nicolas Melosh, who doubled the lead with his close-range strike.
Vadim Shipachyov cemented his reputation as a clutch player by scoring next, pushing Kunlun's goalkeeper, Patrick Rybar, out of the game after four goals slipped by him. The newly introduced goalie, Jeremy Smith, came on but struggled as well, conceding another goal shortly after with Ksyavye Uelle smashing one from the blue line, making the score 5-1. Vitaly Pinchuk rounded off the scoring efforts by tapping the puck home from close range, extending the tally to 6-1.
Despite the trailing score, Kunlun didn’t shy away from pushing back. They managed to net two goals, one from Luke Lockhart near the end of the second period and another from Yaroslav Likhachev early in the third period, bringing the score to 6-2. Their efforts helped provide some excitement to what had otherwise been a dominant display from the home team.
Dmitry Kvartalnov, head coach of Dinamo Minsk, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly praising the exceptional second period. He recognized the players’ efforts and their ability to fire multiple goals, saying, "Игра нам удалась, особенно второй период, забили много голов, парни - молодчики. Ожидали, что будет тяжёлая игра, но отнеслись к ней очень неплохо," which translates to "Our game was successful, especially the second period—we scored many goals, the boys did great. We expected it to be tough, but they handled it well."
Kunlun’s head coach, Mikhail Kravets, reflected on the match's progression, emphasizing the disarray his team experienced during the key second period. Commenting on the game, Kravets stated, "Достойный первый период, второй - безобразный, полное невыполнение игрового задания, большое количество ошибок," meaning "A decent first period, but the second was terrible, with complete failure to execute game plans and numerous mistakes.” His criticism highlighted the need for improvement as his team averaged 57 points after 62 games, currently sitting ninth in the Western Conference.
With this victory, Dinamo Minsk now sits fourth in the Western Conference with 77 points from 60 matches, closing the gap as they aspire to secure playoff positioning. The performances of players like Moroz, Lail, and Shipachyov, who contributed significantly to the team's scoring, bolster their chances as they push forward.
Dinamo’s success on the ice is not just evident from the score sheet. 14 players contributed to the team’s points tonight, showcasing their collective efforts. Kvartalnov emphasized the importance of this teamwork, stating, "14 хоккеистов набрали очки? Команда хорошо отработала, победили. Хорошо, что они набирают очки в таких матчах, но важна командная победа.” He reiterated the essence of camaraderie and consistency required as the playoffs approach.
Both teams celebrated the spirit of the game and the competitive nature of the KHL. With six matches remaining for Kunlun Red Star, Kravets urged his players to push through and continue working hard, regardless of their chances for the playoffs. He expressed, "мотивировать себя до конца, независимо от того, попадаешь ты или не попадаешь в плей-офф." This translates to “You have to motivate yourself until the end, regardless of whether you make the playoffs or not.”
Looking forward, Dinamo Minsk will aim to maintain their winning momentum, propelled by their current form and team morale. The eyes of their fans and the city are laser-focused as they prepare for the next clashes on their path to KHL glory.