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10 SPORT The Minsk Times Thursday, May 29, 2014 Most important Belarusian team battles is to make necessary conclusions to join ice hockey elite Before, the result of the match against the Russian national hockey That evening, a hurricane covered Minsk. As if foretelling an ice battle, the wind broke trees team wasn’t of principal importance for Belarusians, but now much de- and the sun irradiated with lighting. In addition, it was hailing. In turn, the overcrowded pended on its result, possibly even Minsk-Arena was creating a history: the Belarusian team was playing Latvia for a ticket to medals. By finishing second in the the quarter-finals. That was a true ice battle, bringing victory to our hockey players — 3:1! group, the Belarusian squad would face the teasing and unexpected, yet By Yegor Glebov not very experienced French team in the quarterfinals, but, if defeated by The plot of the Latvian-Belarusian the Russians, Glen Hanlon’s trainees match could equally match a Holly- would have to face either the Swedes wood blockbuster. Our team began or Canadians. playing with a strong attack — scoring On the day, both squads were twice to Edgars Masalskis’ goals dur- playing without several leading play- ing the first 33 seconds. During the ers, with Alexey Kalyuzhny and remaining 50 minutes, our guys had Mikhail Grabovski absent in the Bela- to oppose their rivals’ strong attacks. rusian team and Alexander Ovechkin It seemed, the Latvian team demon- absent among the Russians. Mean- strated a power play; moreover, the while, Yevgeny Malkin debuted at the guests all time occupied the top po- Minsk tournament. Unfortunately, sition in the statistical protocols. No by the end of the second period, our doubt, the latter fact was used to their goalkeeper Vitaly Koval, who has advantage. Meanwhile, Belarusians saved his team many times in difficult managed to win — achieving a truly situations, was injured during a clash historical result. Moreover, the match with Pittsburgh’s forward, Malkin. outcome became an example for the Kevin Lalande, who replaced Koval, home tournament. also did well at the last defence posi- However, our head coach, Glen tion, yet the same can’t be said about Hanlon, had different targets. On BELTA the Belarusian defenders who often commenting upon the achieved result, Captain of Belarus’ national team, Alexey Kalyuzhny attacks made mistakes near the goal. the Canadian specialist asked us not to Oleg Znarok’s team dictated the draw a final conclusion yet. “Belarus is and abolished the goal. The decision aggressive sceptics (among Latvian Lalande — which was impressive play of the game, while Glen Hanlon’s in the middle of its path so far.” stirred a burst of emotions among journalists) were convinced that the and, actually, fair. As the statistics boys primarily defended, and very the Latvian team’s fans, players and Latvian hockey player was really in- show, Kevin beat back 18 of shots rarely troubled Sergey Bobrovsky, the Goal comes from nowhere coaches. Latvia’s head coach, Ted No- side the goal during the shot. So, emo- (out of 19). Moreover, all those who’ve Russian goalie. Nevertheless, Belaru- The match culmination hap- lan, openly expressed his disrespect tions have all rights to be expressed seen the match would agree that the sians managed to please their numer- pened not when Geoff Platt and to judges after the match — advis- but we should thank the judge — for goalie’s incredible action helped Be- ous fans. During the sixth minute Mikhail Grabovski made Edgars take ing Belarusians to name a street after his professionalism. larusians psychologically stand out of the last period, when the score a puck out from his net. Moreover, it them. In turn, the Head of the Latvian during the second period (when Lat- was 2:0 in favour of the Russians, was not when three Belarusians had Hockey Federation, Kirovs Lipmans, Behind the scenes vians attacks lead to fisticuffs but clos- Vladimir Denisov scored after Alex- to play with five Latvians (losing threatened to apply an official protest Matches of the kind are always ing the gap failed to bring psychologi- ander Kitarov’s perfect pass. By the for the first time under their pres- for the team of judges (viewed as the nervous, principal and fate-building. cal advantage). end of the game, the Belarusians were sure). The key moment occurred 36 best Hockey Federation specialists). Moreover, they are often accompanied Yevgeny Kovyrshin created an- pressing the Russian goal, but failed seconds before the final whistle; this Moreover, Kaspars — who evidently by a couple of stories which are worth other ‘sensation’: on the day of Be- to take revenge. As a result, the major would be definitely much discussed hoped to see his goal accepted — discussion by fans. The championship larus’ principal match, the striker favourites of the tournament won due and reconsidered in the future. One emotionally broke his hockey stick is no exception in this respect. became a father. Sadly, he failed to to their high class. of the final shots — created by Kas- and knocked the gate to receive a Vladimir Denisov is one of the devote a goal to his child birth but the Therefore, the Belarusians fin- pars Daugavins — eventually scored match penalty as a result. ‘characters’ of course. Having received player performed brilliantly — de- ished third in Group B, after the Rus- to Kevin Lalande’s goals. However, Afterwards, the record of the a prize from the organisers (acknowl- spite the overwhelming emotions. It’s sians and Americans while the fourth the match referee considered that this ‘goal’ was many times studied at the edging him as the best player of the quite possible that a new hockey his- ticket to the play-offs went to the na- happened due to the Latvian’s action press centre. As a result, even most match), the back handed it to Kevin tory was also born that day… tional squad of Finland. Match thoughts shared in empty stadium The Belarusian national team left the World ability to find an approach for for many reasons can be con- Championship in Minsk, losing in the quarterfinal to any player. Therefore, people sidered a historical one, nearly national team of Sweden, 3:2. They had a great chance of today reflect more that the everyone who appeared dur- defeating the current world champions and to prolong the country’s participation, but they did not manage it. present contract of the Cana- ing these minutes in the arena One thing is certain, people will talk for a long time about dian is for two years. Rumours or near their TV screens could the reasons, consequences, heroes and circumstances about interest shown in Han- understand the feelings of the of this vital match. People will examine the plays, will lon from the Swiss appeared to captain. From the first minutes investigate it by the minute and will look scrutinise linger. After the match with the of the quarterfinal match, Ka- all those involved in this event. It is difficult to do this Swedes, they surfaced again, lyuzhny burdened himself with objectively, with still strong and seething emotions. But and the trainer again refused functions of the brain centre, some things can be considered already now. to comment on his future. But the playmaker and leader of seemingly, there are no doubts the team. Just after his grace- By Igor Leshin it is possible to think up many BELTA that in any circumstances it ful pass, Geoff Platt managed reasons for that. Geoff Platt’s goal into Swedes’ net will influence the future of the to level the score. To a great Team The hosting of the Cham- a leader, two goalkeepers and by a compulsory decision he Belarusian team. extent, it is necessary to thank Discussing the results of pionship in Belarus in this several basic players, Belaru- returned to the post of head him for the fact that, having the performance of the Bela- list was an important factor. sian team had still kept fighting coach, many people spoke Bullet failed the first period, the team rusians in Minsk, the defender Each player agreed that the capacity and till the last seconds about the impossibility to After the match, Alexey did not scatter, but found a way of the national team, Vladimir atmosphere forced them to kept hope in the fans’ hearts cross the notorious river for a Kalyuzhny did not appear in to build an effective comeback. Denisov, noted that the main push themselves to the abso- that a miracle was possible. second time. People explained the mixed zone. On their way The bullet, appointed 7 minutes result consists in the game of lute limit. This leaves us with And, according to Vladimir the former trainer’s successes from the ice, the Kostitsyn prior to the final siren, seemed this team. It is difficult not to an important question: Would Denisov’s belief, the matter is with the Canadians by a nov- brothers also got ‘lost’, but there a real gift to the captain. It was a agree, and to recollect the times we have played in such a way if not only due to motivation. elty of emotions. Today, hardly were many questions for the great opportunity to put an ef- when we had such a strong na- the tournament had been held anyone will start talking about captain. Remembering all the fective end to the match. tional team, which really played not in Minsk? The answer was Trainer it. During the Minsk tourna- numerous moments and twists It is possible to endlessly and which could, and wanted seen the day before on the ice of One year ago, Glen Hanlon ment, Glen had time to amaze in the plot of the match which examine and analyse every- to win and how being a fan of the Minsk-Arena.

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