Victory Day for Russia

Today is a major state holiday - the Victory Day -  in both Russia and Belarus today and none country can afford to lose in a hockey game on this day. But the fixtures wants them to play each other and according to the tournament rules, one MUST lose.

The importance of the match was clear from players` press statements. For example, Ilya Kovalchuk of Russia said: "We must win for our World War II veterans". And the first period confirmed the high commitment of both clubs to the game.

It ended up almost equally. Russia received one more shot on goal during the opening twenty minutes, and it was the only extra shot which made the difference. Ilya Kovalchuk appeared in 2-on-1, but decided to shoot himself - and Kevin Lalande did not manage to close the door between his legs.

Belarus received a great opportunity to tie it at 1`s four minutes before the horn, Artyom Demkov  was granted with a penalty shot, but his quick forhand deke was covered by a great save of Sergei Bobrovski.

One would say that as the play was so tied during the opening session, it would be enough for Belarus to shoot one more shot to equalize the score. Actually, it worked out oppositely. During the second period, Belarus was unable to keep the tempo with Sbornaja Komanda and allowed three more goals, by Tarasenko, Shipachyov and Panarin.

After the third Russian goal a change in Belarusian goalie crease occurred. Dave Lewis, Belarus Head Coach, decided to to send Igor Brikun on the ice, letting Kevin Lalande have a rest. However Team Belarus totally collapted and the Russian guns kept scoring even though. In last session, also Shirokov, Dadonov, and finally Malkin put another three pucks into Belarusian net.

Four minutes before end of the game, also Russia did a change in the goalie`s crease. Bobrovski left the ice to lose the chance to accomplish a shut-out.

Until today, Russia never won over Belarus with higher than a two-goal difference. In relation to Belarusian previous results and to their performance during the first twenty minutes of game against Russia, the result 7-0 is cruel. At the same time it describes mood in Team Belarus during rest of the match.

For Russia, this is a big victory in both sport and political context. Thanks to it, Sbornaja jumps over Belarus and nests in the second position of Group B while having 12 points. Belarus fells down into the third spot, keeping three points lead above the fifth Slovakia (7p).

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