Valery Kamensky, a legendary figure in Olympic hockey, weighed in on why Dynamo Moscow bowed out of the Gagarin Cup playoffs in the first round of the KHL season.
In a tightly contested series, Dynamo Moscow fell to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod by a 4-2 margin, with the decisive sixth game stretching into overtime on a Sunday that fell on March 12.
Kamensky described Torpedo as a revelation of the year. He praised the Nizhny Novgorod squad for displaying clean, attractive hockey that resonates with fans, contrasting their performance with Moscow’s rebuilding process. The veteran noted that while a team can assemble players, it takes time for a unit to gel and deliver consistent results, a point he attributed to Torpedo’s surge and to Dynamo Moscow’s continued development. These remarks appeared in a contemporary sports feature.
With the arena lights bright at VTB Arena in Moscow and nearly 10,000 spectators watching, Torpedo’s victory came in overtime after a hard-fought battle. The winning goal sealed the series, capping a dramatic night that showcased the drama of playoff hockey and the thin margins that separate triumph from elimination.
Earlier in the game, Canadian forward Eric O’Dell, aged 32, earned the tying pass for Dynamo, while 25-year-old American Dennis Yan took a shot that brought Dynamo back into contention. Yan later became the author of Nizhny Novgorod’s overtime winner, a moment that shifted the balance and ultimately decided the series.
Looking ahead, the Western Conference picture remained unsettled: the next opponent for Torpedo, or for other Western powerhouses like Lokomotiv Yaroslavl or St. Petersburg, would hinge on the results of the CSKA versus Severstal matchup. The outcome would determine which team would advance to the Conference final from the region, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the playoffs and the high stakes involved in each game.
In a separate development, a club spokesperson indicated that Artem Ivanyuzhenkov faced serious legal questions following an incident in the Moscow region. Officials stated that the situation required careful handling as investigations progressed, underscoring how off-ice matters can intersect with team dynamics and public perception. The report highlighted how clubs balance competitive ambitions with maintaining discipline and safeguarding their players’ reputations amid broader legal considerations.