Dinamo Rīga fall again

Dinamo Rīga has claimed one point in their latest outing, falling 3-2 to Neftekhimik in extra time on Friday evening.

It is the third consecutive game that Dinamo Rīga have fallen to a team lower than them in the standings and they are now heavily anticipating the return of leader Sandis Ozoliņs.

One major positive coming from the game is the way that youngster Raimonds Vilkoits has adjusted to playing in the club’s senior side, scoring in just his second outing.

Playing with four men on the ice for six minutes of the opening period, Dinamo Rīga struggled to gain any solid goal-scoring opportunities. Thankfully for them, Neftekhimik were suffering a similar fate at the other end of the ice with Chris Holt appearing undeterred in goal.

Holt remained solid throughout the second period with the only goal of the third going to the visitors. Vilkoits was in the right place at the right time in the 28th minute, scoring off the assistance from Mārtiņš Karsums and Ģirts Ankipāns in the 28th minute.

Maxim Putushko wasted little time at putting the two sides back on level terms in the final third, taking just 58 seconds to find the back of the net.

But Dinamo Rīga were again able to go in front in the 48th minute through Rodrigo Laviņš with Vitaly Karamnov picking up a rear assist alongside Tomas Surovy.

Just over a minute later and Neftekhimik were celebrating for the second time in the period, to set up an exciting finish to the game.

In a little over the ten minutes of regular time remaining, neither side could add to their score, forcing the game into overtime.

Overtime was all Neftekhimik needed to wrap up the game, scoring on the stroke of the 65th minute, adding to Dinamo Rīga’s woes as they continue to search for consistency.