Kazakhstan Cup review

From 20 to 27 August two cities of Kazakhstan, Kokshetau and Temirtau, hosted  the Kazakhstan Cup, the traditional tournament opening the hockey season. This season 10 teams fought for the trophy 10 teams entered, divided into two groups of five teams.

Group A (in Temirtau )

Ertis Pavlodar

Arystan Temirtau

HK Astana

Gornyak Rudny

Torpedo Ust -Kamenogorsk

Group B (in Kokshetau )

Beybarys  Atyrau

Arlan Kokshetau

Nomad Astana

HK Almaty

Berkut Karaganda

The main favorites before the start of the tournament should be considered 4 teams . Cup holder  Arlan, National champion Ertis, Beybarys  and Arystan

Already on the first day of the tournament there was an unexpected results: Beybarys Atyrau  0-2 against modest Nomad Astana, KHL Barys second team. In general, all expected more from the team of Alexander Istomin in this tournament, but in Atyrau again is building a new team, as most of the leaders of the team left .As a result , Beybarys achieved only one victory, a  6-1 against Berkut. This result was enough for Beybarys for hoping in a qualification for bronze medal after the last round

The final day of the group stage was a thrilling fight for second place, while Arlan was sure of playing final, other three clubs -  Beybarys, Almaty  and Berkut had all chances to qualify, but Beybarys lost against Arlan, while Almaty, despite an overtime defeat against Berkut, earned the point needed to play for bronze.

In Group A the two favorites Arystan and Ertis come at last round with a perfect record, to play the decisive game in a face-to-face meeting was scheduled for the last game day.. After the first period, Arystan leading the score 1-0, but in last 40 minutes the game has changed, and the team of Julius Penzes come from behind and seals the qualification with a final 3-2.

Thus, Almaty and  Arystan met for third place: the match was very interesting . Both teams played concentrated and eager to grab the medal. Oleg Bolyakin team had many opportunities to open the score, but capacity to make the most of all supremacy on the ice lacks to Almaty. Arystan on the contrary , took advantage from almost all the chances and won the game 5-2

Kazakhstan Cup Final portended a lot because it was a contest between the two best teams of the country

Arlan, in front of its enthusiastic fans packing the arena, rushed to attack from the first seconds and Ertis goalkeeper Vlastimil Lakosil  saved his team in several circumstances. So the first goal of the match come from Pavlodar: Andrei Nedorost gave a pass to Robert Huna, he immediately sent the puck into Vlastimil Lakosil’s net.

After the break, the game was played at high speeds. The key moment of the match was the penalty at 29 minute. With two Ertis players in the sin bin, Arlan quickly turned the advantage into a goal . Yannick Riendeau beats Tommi Nikkila from close range . A minute later, Martin Kriska make the score 2-1. In the third period Nedorost equalized and the game goes to shootouts . Yannick Riendeau scored the decisive goal

Arlan keep the trophy won last year, again against Ertis, and new coach Vladimir Klinga successfully begin his work at Kokshetau.

After the final, Kazakhstan Federation announced the awards for the competition: the best goalkeeper was Vladimir Yeremeev ( Almaty), defender Lukas Bolf (Ertis) , striker Yannick Riendeau ( Arlan ), while the best young player was named Alexey Kiselev ( Nomad ) .

In general , the tournament has left a good impression . Many teams have added skill and are ready for the League. We look forward to the beginning of the season

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