Team Russia won the final of the Seventh Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus in shootout series - 2:3 (2:2, 0:0, 0:0, 0:1).

That was a game where nobody wanted to loose. All goals were scored in first third of the match. Russians started to pulll pressure with permanent attacks. One of their visits into the opponent’s zone was finished with a smart shot of Andrei Kovalenko, assisted by Valery Kamenskiy. Russian number “13” player also scored from the penalty shot. Belarusians answered with Stepan Ponomarev`s double.

Second and third periods were goalless, but viewers witnessed tight battle on ice. Russians had plenty chances to upset Belarusian goalkeeper Sergei Shabanov, but all pucks that were heading to his gate were stopped. Maksim Mikhailovsky also did quite a number of incredible saves and became the Man of the match.

Teams were looking chances till the final horn. Then it was all about the individual players skills. Andrei Kovalenko scored the first and was the only one, who outplayed the goalie in the shootout series. Team Russia won the game and took the trophy to its homeland.

Man of the Match of Belarus - Russia were recognized: Stepan Ponomarev (Team Belarus) and Maksim Mikhailovsky (Team Russia).

Best players of the tournament.

Audience Award was given to team Finland and its inimitable talisman-player Heikki Dahlbo.

Final standings: 

1. Team Russia
2. Team Belarus
3. Team Finland
4. Team Ukraine
5. Team Germany
6. Team Switzerland
7. Team Slovakia
8. Team Austria

Organizers of the 7th Christmas International Tournament of Hockey Amateurs for the Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus:

- Republican State and Public Association "President`s Sports Club"
- Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus
- Belarus Ice Hockey Association
- Minsk City Executive Committee

The partners of the tournament are:
- Belarusian Potash Company
- Convex company
- Sport-pari

General sponsors of the championship:
- Company "BT Telecommunications" of the closed joint stock company "Beltechexport"
- Priorbank

General information partner:
- National State TeleRadioCompany of the Republic of Belarus.

Press office of the
Republican State and Public
Association "President`s Sports Club"