Love: Shanghai must learn to close out third periods

"I think the first period was sloppy. I can't speak for Dynamo, but it was for us," Love said. "The second period was better in terms of execution. In the third we were chasing the opponent more. On our game, we are still trying to find out how to play so that we close out third periods and play all 60 minutes."

Goaltender Pavel Khomchenko finished 12 seconds short of a shutout. Asked whether the team got nervous as it came close, Love said he did not think so.

"Pavel played a very good game and made a lot of saves. The guys blocked shots too. All Minsk had to do was use their chances," Love said. "For the second game running I feel we doubt ourselves more than we need to. We have to add confidence in those moments. Dynamo had good players on the ice who could have settled it and scored."

Love singled out captain Dmitry Yashkin, who scored again, for his work in front of the net.

"He shows himself very well in that position. He is an example for all our players. It seemed a hard place to score goals from, but he does it," Love said. "He is a very important player, the captain. He has leadership qualities, he has NHL experience, he speaks two languages. I would like us to have a couple more guys who can decide things in front of the net. We are very pleased with Dmitry."

If Shanghai do not settle their third periods, one-goal margins like this one will keep depending on Khomchenko and the shot blockers.