Continental Cup: Donbas already did the job?

Rouen, in the north of France, hosts for the second time the Continental Cup Super Final in the small but charming Patinoire Ile Lacroix. Besides Dragons Rouen, title holder Yunost Minsk will be on the ice trying to keep the plate in Belarus, along with Ukranian Donbas Donets’k and Italian Asiago Hockey.

Unfortunately for a nonsensical decision from the organizers the first match is probably the decisive one, with Donbas, a team passed from recreational to super-professional in a couple of seasons, thanks to the money of oligarch Borys Kolesnikov, current Ukranian vice-prime minister, challenging reigning champion Yunost.



The Belarus team passed by a budget reduction during the summer, losing some key players, stars in last season's winning campaign, as forwards Aleksandr Materukhin, best forward in the last Super Final, and Oleg Shafarenko, both today on the Donbas roster, but able to keep Finnish star goalie Mika Oksa, forward Konstantin Zakharov, son of the charismatic coach Mikhail and Ukranian Oleg Shafarenko.

About 60 Ukrainian fans (against a dozen of Belorussian) support Donbas in the first crucial game. Coach Aleksandr Kulikov choose to mix the lines with Materukhin and Shafarenko in the fourth and captain Sergei Varlamov along with last sign Swedish Andre Hult in the second, leaving scorer Alexander Zhurun, 29 goals last season with VHL champion Rubin Tyumen in the first. Russian Evgeny Tsaregorodtsev is in the net. Mikhail Zakharov put faithful Maksim Slysh and Oleg Timchenko in the second line and son Konstantin in the third with former Vitebsk sniper Aleksandr Abakunchik and defender Andrei Bashko, on loan from Shakthar Soligorsk for the Continental, in the third. Yunost plays with Ruslan Salei’s number 24 on the jersey.

A first balanced period shows good hockey and a little predominance by Donbas but without real goal chances until 19.30 when a wonderful combination drives Aleksandr Zhurun in front of Mika Oksa, but the Finnish goalie made an amazing save. Yunost seems to suffer a bit the quick skating from Donbas.


In the second period Donbas has a great start and at 23.41 the first line make the first goal action: Zhurun pass to line-mate Evgeny Belhukin and number 34 scores with a slap. The Yunost reaction comes quickly: Syrey and Kurilin tease Tsaregorodtsev. At 28.12 Aleksandr Syrey takes a 2+2 during the best Yunost momentum: Belarus survive with Oksa rebounding just a couple of Varlamov’s shots and have a good chance at end of penalties by Tsurikov, but losing important energies. A silly penalty for too many men on the ice right after opens the door for Donbas second goal forcing Yunost to play almost 6 consecutive minutes in shorthanded: Aleksandr Zhurun completes a good move by the power play unit deflecting a pass from Vladimir Malevich. Yunost is really unlucky when Tsurikov hits the post finalizing a good team action at 34. Last five minutes are all for Yunost even if best chance is for Donetsk’s Aleksandr Tatarinov along in front of Oksa, but former Avtomobilist forward misses the net.


Yunost has a vehement start in the last period, Tsaregorodtsev makes a difficult save on Lyutkevich and for the first 5 minutes Donbas really suffered the Belorussian attacks and at the end of a power play Yunost scores the goal everyone waiting for. Captain Maksim Slysh was able to rebound a shot by Armands Berzins, sealing a clear superiority. A power play for Donbas gives some oxygen for Ukrainian team and its fans and break opponents’ stamina. A great solo by Piskunov at 55 risks to close definitely the game but Oksa is ready to deflect the shot. Yunost has a couple of good chances in last three minutes, but the Donbas defense works very well minimizing chances to finalize and protecting Tsaregorodtsev’s cage. Oksa keep the hope alive blocking Zhurun with 30 seconds remains but Donbas earns a key victory and the final celebration speaks for itself: players and fans have the sensation to already complete the campaign. Was a beautiful game, full of actions and not many chances: both goalies earn MVP title.

In post game press conference Yunost coach Mikhaik Zakharov recriminates about decisive mistake: 'It was a very balanced game, played very well by both teams, it was clear that an episode decided it: unfortunately was by our mistake on a line change. But the tournament is just at begin'

Ukranian coach Sergei Shakurov is cautious 'It was a simple victory, at the begin of a difficult tournament and the first international experience at this level. We won against a very experienced team, the cup holder, and I'm obviously happy, but it's still a long road'.
Finally Sergei Varlamov made clear his team goals: "Continental Cup is one of our seasonal goals, along with victory in VHL, we are here to win and today we demonstrate to be a solid team winning a tough, very tough game"

MVP: Evgeny Tsaregorodtsev – Mika Oksa

 

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