Dynamo Minsk had to fight hard against Team Canada

On their first participation in the Spengler Cup, Dynamo Minsk has succeeded in making it to the Finals.  The Belarussian team from the Russian KHL defeated 4:3 the eleven-time tournament winner Team Canada in a highly dramatic match.

This will be the first time since 2004 that the North American powerhouse team will not be playing in the Final.  Dynamo lead the game 3:1 after 32 minutes of play.  Minsk's Denis Koschetkow laid the perfect groundwork for their success with his two goals early in the game.  The North Americans from the NLA allowed their defense to make too many costly errors.  Canada's goal keeper, Wade Dubielewicz, also failed to shut the door on the many Minsk attempts on goal.  

Uncomfortable closing minutes

With Baschko losing the puck, the Balarussian team, currently number 20 in the Russian Premier League, found itself unnecessarily and unexpectedly on the back foot  during what turned out to be a few final uncomfortable minutes of the game.  Jean-Pierre Vigier profited from the Minsk-man's lapse in concentration, and opened the door for a last charge on the Minsk goal which moved Canada closer with a 3:4 score.  Their efforts would ultimately fall short as the Maple Leafs were unable to overcome the one goal deficit in the final minutes.

Dynamo Minsk - Team Canada 4:3 (1:1, 2:1, 1:1)

Vaillant-Arena. - Attendance: 6746 (sold out). - Referees: Kurmann/Stalder, Fluri/Kohler. -- Goals: 8. Jokela (Peltonen, Westcott/disqualified Aubin, Bell) 1:0. 12. Kurtis McLean (Roche, Murphy) 1:1. 24. Kotschetkow (Tschupriss) 2:1. 32. Kotschetkow (Warlamow, Tschupriss) 3:1. 34. (33:45) Heins (Robitaille/ disqualified Ternowski) 3:2. 42. Tschupriss (Warlamow, Antonow) 4:2. 52. Vigier (Aubin) 4:3. -- Penalties: 6 times 2 minutes against Dynamo Minski, 5 times 2 minutes against Team Canada.

Dynamo Minsk: Kowal; Westcott, Jokela; Lintner, Saulietis; Antonow, Ljutkewitsch; Ternowski, Beschko; Ville Peltonen, Platt, Kulakow; Meleschko, Stas, Michalew; Kotschetkow, Warlamow, Tschupriss, Demkow, Sadelenow, Kowyrschin.

Team Canada: Dubielewicz; Jackman, Heins; Roche, Curtis Murphy; Dupont, Tremblay; Siklenka, Rivers; Brett McLean, Brown, Bell; Kurtis McLean, Robitaille, Daigle; Vigier, Aubin, Trudel; Brooks, Down, Pecker.

General Notes: cross bar Peltonen (33:16). - Timeout Team Canada (59:28). (Si)

Translated by Olivia Kaferly