In a thrilling conclusion to the first round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs, CSKA Moscow faced a stunning exit at the hands of Dynamo Minsk. The sixth match of the series, held on April 5, 2025, at the CSKA Arena in Moscow, saw Dynamo overpower CSKA with a decisive score of 6-2, clinching the series 4-2.
Dynamo Minsk came into the match with a series lead of 3-2 after their commanding 7-0 victory in Game 5. The stakes were high as CSKA fought to stay alive, but they were unable to overcome the momentum that Dynamo had built. The game started with an intense first period where both teams exchanged goals. Nikolai Melosh opened the scoring for Dynamo at 13:15, with assists from Ilya Usov and Sotishvili, making it 1-0. However, CSKA quickly responded, with Maxim Sorkin equalizing just before the first intermission at 19:50, assisted by Williams.
The second period saw Dynamo regain the lead when Egor Borikov scored at 27:25, again with assists from Melosh and Usov, making it 2-1. CSKA struggled to find their rhythm, and Dynamo took advantage of that. Joshua Brook extended the lead to 3-1 at 43:04, with Kuznetsov providing the assist.
As the game progressed into the third period, Dynamo continued to dominate. Vitaly Pinchuk scored at 44:25, assisted by Gross and Enas, pushing the score to 4-1. Borikov then added his second goal of the night at 52:20, unassisted, further solidifying Dynamo's control of the game at 5-1. CSKA's Vladislav Provolnev managed to score at 54:28 with an assist from Afanasyev, narrowing the gap to 5-2, but it was too little too late. Alexander Volkov capped off the scoring for Dynamo with an unassisted goal at 59:25, bringing the final score to 6-2.
The victory not only secured Dynamo's place in the quarterfinals of the Gagarin Cup but also marked a significant achievement for the team, showcasing their strength and resilience throughout the series. Coach of Dynamo, who had strategically placed American forward Sam Enas in the first line and Belarusian forward Vadim Moroz in the second line, praised his team’s performance, stating, "We came together as a unit, and it showed on the ice. This win is a testament to our hard work and determination. We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead in the playoffs."
On the other hand, CSKA's season came to an abrupt end, leaving fans and players alike disappointed. Despite two victories in the series, including a 4-1 win in Game 1 and a 2-1 win in Game 4, the team could not maintain their momentum against a formidable Dynamo squad. CSKA's coach expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about the future, stating, "We fought hard, but it wasn’t enough this time. We’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger next season."
The Gagarin Cup playoffs continue, with Dynamo advancing to face their next opponent as they aim for glory in the tournament. Meanwhile, CSKA will have to regroup and reassess their strategy for the upcoming seasons, as they look to improve on their performance and return to playoff contention.
As the dust settles on this intense matchup, hockey fans are left buzzing with excitement for what’s next in the Gagarin Cup. With teams like Dynamo showing such prowess, the competition is sure to heat up as the quarterfinals approach. Will Dynamo continue their winning streak? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the spirit of the game is alive and well in the KHL.
