Lukashenka’s hockey team lost

Belarusian ruler’s team has become weakened because of absence of a few leading players.

On April 19 in Minsk Palace of Sports the final round of the Second Republican contest of hockey amateur teams for the prizes of the Presidential sports club, BelTA informs.

In the showdown the team of Homel region won the last year champion, the team of the Belarusian president: 9:8 (4:3, 2:2, 3:3) and won first prize.

Best snipers of the final are forwards Mikhail Klimin from Homel region and Andrei Astashevich from the presidential team, have scored 3 goals each. Alyaksandr Lukashenka scored 1 goal and was the author of two successful passes.

Andrei Astashevich, a forward, and Aleh Mikulchyk, a defenceman, were awarded prizes as the best players of the game in the presidential team. Goaltender Dzmitry Kuznyatsou and defenceman Alyaksandr Alyakseeu, members of the team of Homel region, have been awarded prizes.

On the eve of the final round the team of Homel region was reinforced by Vice champion of the Belarusian extra-league, members of “Gomel” hockey club defencemen Andrei Filichkin, Yaraslau Maslenikau, forwards Miklhail Klimin, Paval Musienka, Yauhen Esaulau. Besides, a former forward of Belarus team Andrei Skabelka appeared in the team of Homel region. He is one of the trainers of “Gomel” now. A bronze medal winner of the Belarusian extra league, Zhlobin-based “Metallurg” delegated forward Andrei Lozhkin and manager Yauhen Lebedzeu into the team of Homel region.

Lukashenka’s team was strengthened by absence of Uladzimir Tsyplakou, who became the top goal-scorer of the preliminary stage of the tournament. As a member of the headquarters of the national team of Belarus he went to Grenoble for a friendly match. One of the constant players of the presidential team, an injured player Mikhail Zakharau, observed the contest.

A team of Minsk region won the bronze prize in the Second republican hockey tournament of amateur teams for the prizes of the Presidential sports club. They won the team of Vitsebsk region 10:4.

The team of the Belarusian ruler was the only one among the participants of the tournament, who has no defeats until the final. They took the first place in the group round, having won in all games with the difference of goals plus 30 and being an obvious favourite.

The final position of the teams after the preliminary stage was the following: Lukashenka’s team – 12 scores (with a 63-33 goal differential), Homel region – 8 (63-36), Minsk region – 8 (66-40), Vitsebsk region – 7 (46-44), Hrodna region – 5 (34-38), Brest region – 2 (31-53), Mahilyou region – 0 (30-89).

The best goaltender of the tournament is Dzmitry Kuznyatsou from Homel region’s team, who warded off 3 bullets in the final. Aleh Ramanau from the team of the president was called the best defenceman, and Andrei Kavalyou the best forward.

Lukashenka’s team forward Andrei Astashevich who won 27 scores (12+15) according to the “goal plus pass” system was the top goal-scorer of the contest. Lukashenka himself won 16 socres (4+12).