Mission accomplished

Gomel won a capital game against host Lyon and can celebrate the qualification for the Superfinals, fifteen years after the only appearance in the European competition, when the club hosted the Superfinals, won by Slovan Bratislava. Lyon tries to surprise the opponent with an aggressive start, trying to prevent Belarussian team to take the control of the game. Home team opens the score in the first power play with a perfect shot of Martins Lavrovs,, having more chances with Llorca and Mickevits, stopped by Bobariko. Gomel is evidently surprised, failing to find the right countermeasures, suffering the precise and quick passes of French team-

A big save by Bobariko on Mickevits opens the central period with Lyon earning three consecutive power plays, including a double superiority, not turning into a goal, despite various attempts. Gomel can breathe and reorganizing the lines, finding the net at 26:30 with Nikolai Suslo, well assisted by Evgeny Salomonov. The good momentum of Gomel continues also in the third period: helped by a mistake of Lyon defence, Aleksandr Zhidkikh can easily score the second goal after 30 seconds. Lyon has immediately the chance to tie the game but Lavrovs’ shot is blocked by Bobariko. Lyon lost the stamina and the determination showed in the first period, an expert team as Gomel can control the game avoiding big risks for Bobariko. With three minutes to play Lyon earns a key power play, has chances with Lavrovs and Ferry, without be able to break through Belarussian wall.