Important Victory over Dinamo!

Dinamo Riga – HC SLOVAN Bratislava 1:4 (0:1, 1:2, 0:1)

Goals:  31. Skvorcovs (Saulietis) – 19. Bartovič (Netík), 28. Murley, 34. Murley, 54. Netík (Bartovič)

Lineups:
Dinamo Riga: Sedláček (Masalskis) – Pujacs (C), Genoway, Porejs, Sotnieks, Cibulskis, Jerofejev, Grinbergs, Jelisejevs – Cipulis, Indrasis, Darzins (A) – M. Redlihs, Bicevskis, Meija – Videll, Schastlivy (A), Bukarts – Skvorcovs, Upitis, Saulietis
HC SLOVAN: Backlund (Janus) – Sersen (A), Sigalet, Baranka, Štajnoch, Foster, Starosta, Brejčák – Nagy (A), Murley, Vondrka – Netík, Surový, Bartovič (C) – Jeglič, Tičar, White – Bližňák, Šťastný, Lunter

The opening minutes were marked by caution, both sides striving to avoid errors in defence and not allow the opposition chances on goal. But overall, Matikainen's men had most of the play. Two long-range efforts from Sersen threatened Sedláček, and when Netík and Surový exploited a hole in the defence, it was the Czech goalie who blocked Netík's shot. Backlund also got to show off his skills - Meija's shot failed to surprise him, and the Slovan defence was able to clear the danger. In the 15th minute, a fine pass from Bližňák found Šťastný, but the forward couldn't find the net under pressure from close range. Next it was Matt Murley's turn to be denied by Sedláček, but Slovan finally broke down his defences in the 19th - Netík picked out Bartovič from behind the net, and he opened the scoring – 0:1.

Early in the second period, a chance fell to Meija after Bicevskis's incisive pass, but Backlund managed to smother the puck.  A Riga powerplay soon followed after Baranka's foul, and the hosts had a number of shots, but our defenceman was able to sit out the entire two minutes. In the 28th, a serious blunder from Sedláček gifted Slovan a second goal - his pass from behind the goal went straight to Murley, who gleefully swept into the empty net – 0:2. However, the two-goal lead lasted only two minutes. When Skvorcovs got away from Bližňák, Foster could do nothing to stop him, and his backhand beat Backlunda – 1:2. Dinamo then began to apply pressure, forcing the visitors to defend, but a Slovan powerplay relieved the pressure, and the Sky Blues made it count - Sedláček parried Starosta's shot, and Matt Murley was ideally placed to slam the puck home – 1:3.

In the final period, Slovan defended expertly, barely allowing the home team to get near Backlund. At the other end, Sedláček had to be constantly vigilant in a three minute period of  Slovan pressure - first Bartovič tested him with a shot, then Vondrka's effort strained his mitt, then a third chance went begging for Jeglič after Tičar's pass. Dinamo had a chance to make the latter stages tense after Surový's dismissal twelve minutes from time, but Slovan played an outstanding penalty kill, leading to cat whistles from the home fans. Six minutes from the end, the goalscoring pair from the first period struck again, but this time it  was Bartovič who sent in Netík, and he scored Slovan's fourth at the second attempt - 1:4. Matikainen's forces guarded their lead for the final minutes, and savoured a highly valuable victory in Riga!

Petri Matikainen: After the defeat at SKA St Petersburg and the mistakes we made in defence, we worked hard in the free day yesterday and prepared really well for the game against Dinamo. We discussed how we wanted to play the game today, and we stuck to it. I'm really pleased with our success here in Riga, glad that we've earned three points. We played well as a team - I'm pleased with our performance.