MINSK, 7 January (BelTA) – The Belarus president team defeated Team Russia 8:5 (3:0, 4:3, 1:2) to win the 15th edition of the Christmas amateur ice hockey tournament for the prize of the Belarusian president on 7 January, BelTA has learned.
It was the 13th final match for the teams of Belarus and Russia over the 15 years of the tournament. The hockey matches of the two countries always draw a lot of spectators. Today's match was no exception.
The hosts started off well outshooting Team Russia early on. The Belarusian team opened a 2:0 lead on the first minute of the game. The opening goal was scored by Yaroslav Chupris. Several seconds later Alexander Lukashenko made an assist to Daniel Corso who hit the net. The third goal was scored when the first period was almost over. Alexander Lukashenko took a shot on goal, but the puck bounced back to be caught and sent to the net by First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Andrei Astashevich. Alexander Lukashenko had eight assists during the tournament.
After a break the Belarusian president team generated plenty of good action on home ice. The two teams were locked in a struggle, with Russia hitting back with two goals, both by Sergei Arekayev (4:2). At the end of the second period, Belarus scored three times. Alexander Lukashenko was credited with the seventh goal. Thus, after the second period Belarus had a 7:3 lead.
In the third period the Belarus president team managed to maintain momentum, played well in the defense and had its 12th win in the final of the Christmas tournament. The Belarusian head of state had a goal and two assists in the final match.
The best players of the final match were Sergei Arekayev (Russia) and Igor Brikun (Belarus). Prizes were presented to them by Belarus' Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk.
On their way to the final the Belarus president team defeated IIHF Team 13:7, Baltics Team 9:3 and UAE Team 10:5.
The Russians blanked Switzerland 9:0 and earned a 4:1 win over Slovakia. Team Russia continued their solid ice play with a win over Finland 5:2 in the semifinals.
The best players were named during the awards ceremony. They received prizes from the Belarusian president.
Alexei Yegorov (Russia) was named the best goalkeeper. Daniel Corso (Belarus) was named the best defenseman. Toni Makiaho (Finland) was recognized the best forward. Pavel Bely (Belarus) was named top scorer.
Prizes and medals were presented to the participants of the Golden Puck national junior ice hockey tournament. The best players of the tournament received gifts from Alexander Lukashenko.
Finland upset UAE Team with a 6:3 win in the bronze medal game.
The Belarus president team is the 12-time winner of the Christmas international tournament (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018). Team Russia is a three-time champion (2007, 2011 and 2015) and a ten-time vice-champion.
The organizers of the event were the President's Sports Club, the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, the Sports and Tourism Ministry, and the Minsk City Hall.
Photos by Nikolai Petrov, Maksim Guchek, and Yuri Oreshkin
