CSKA started the 2025 playoffs in Minsk. Maxim Mamin, who missed two games, returned to the lineup for the first game against Dinamo. Those who were given a rest in the game against Vityaz also played: Nikita Nesterov, Pavel Karnaukhov, Ivan Drozdov. Pavel Khomchenko took his place in goal.
Events unfolded rapidly. Already in the second minute, CSKA defenseman Dmitry Samorukov opened the scoring with a powerful shot. A minute later, Pavel Karnaukhov increased the lead with a long shot from Nikita Nesterov. After such a start, the opponent ran for the win. The Army men held off the attacks and defended reliably for a while. But the goal still came after a shot by Sergei Kuznetsov. A penalty on our team led to the second goal. The fight for the initiative began anew. The Dinamo had good luck in this struggle. CSKA attacked, but couldn't get a shot off, and then counterattacked, which resulted in a goal - 3-2. The Army Men tried to get back on the board, but the opponent had the key moment in the middle of the third period. Our coaching staff tried to challenge the Dynamo puck, as it had left the court before, but after reviewing it, the decision stood. There was still a lot of time before the end of the game, the Army men played two minutes on the power play, changed the goalie for a sixth fielder, but nothing helped to break through the goalie. The game ended with a goal into our empty net.
The second game of the series will be held in Minsk on March 28, starting at 19:30.
