NIZHNY NOVGOROD – Mikelis Redlihs has played the role of hero for Dinamo Riga, scoring in overtime to level his team's playoff series with Torpedo one apiece.

After being trounced by four goals an evening previous, Pekka Rautakallio's men showed all the difference that 24 hours can make, coming back to tie their second leg playoff game late in the piece before Redlihs struck the winning shot in overtime.

Redlihs had been the star in a losing effort an evening previous with a goal and two assists and again on Thursday he was the driving force for the Latvian club.

Following a scoreless opening period, Vladimir Galuzin picked up the opening goal of the night in the 26^th minute, much against the flow of play with Dinamo Riga getting off 18 shots on goal in the second period compared to 10 from their hosts.

Dinamo Riga again dominated offensively in the third period and they would finally reap reward for their perseverance in the 56^th minute when Redlihs and brother Krisjanis set up for Janis Sprukts.

With time nearly up neither team would properly threaten again, forcing the game into overtime.

In overtime it was Torpedo who were offered with the best opportunity to win the game when Mikhail Varnakov was given the chance to go one-on-one with Chris Holt after Krisjanis was penalized for hooking.

But Holt was up to the task of blocking the puck and with eight seconds left to play in overtime it was instead Dinamo Riga celebrating as Martins Karsums and Janis Sprukts combined to set up for Redlihs.

The men in a maroon are currently the only team in the Western Conference playoffs to have claimed a win away from home, leaving them in a confident position going into games three and four at Arena Riga this Saturday and Sunday.