Published: 23 September, 2009, 18:12
Edited: 24 September, 2009, 05:45
CSKA needed shoot-outs to beat their city rivals Dinamo in one of the most anticipated derbies of the season. The rivalry that has one of the longest traditions in Soviet and Russian hockey goes on in the KHL.
It was Dinamo Moscow who demolished the Army men in last year's KHL quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, hosts CSKA have already started paying off this debt as they beat the Blue-and-Whites in their first meeting this season.
This time around, the Army men were quick to deliver the first punch, Aleksandr Suglobov finding the back side of the net in the powerplay.
But it took Dinamo just a couple of minutes to level matters. Anton Krysanov rushed through the whole rink, took his time to aim, and wrote his name in the textbook of wrist shots, 1-1.
CSKA took the next move, Denis Parshin found himself free right in front of goal, but this was the moment of pride for Dinamo's goalie, Mikhail Biryukov, who saved brilliantly.
But he was helpless against Petr Schastlivy, whose incredible slap shot put CSKA back in the lead.
Things turned upside down after the break as the Blue-and-Whites geared up dramatically.
First, Vitaly Yachmenev scored the equalizer for Dinamo. Then, Mathias Veinhandl put the visitors ahead as the Army men seemed to be caught sleeping here.
And it was the Swede once again who continued the stunning comeback of Dinamo to make it 4:2.
Such knockdowns often turn knockouts in the end, but it was too early to say "die" as CSKA were keen to come back in their turn in the third period.
The unbelievable show of skills by Mark Hartigan just five minutes from time made it 4-3.
This seemed to rejuvenate the Army men for the final impact, which was rewarded immediately as Egor Mikhailov fired the visitors' goal through to drive the home crowd crazy – 4:4, meaning an overtime which didn't see any goals.
Dinamo seemed to be mentally exhausted in shoot-outs, while an inspired CSKA proved they were stronger on the night.
“It was an interesting game, we had our lows, than we had our highs. The good thing is we finished strong again. It's nice to beat a team like Dinamo Moscow. They are a good hockey team,” CSKA’s Mark Hartigan said.