On the third day of the eighth Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of President of the Republic of Belarus  teams in Group "A" were deciding who would play in deciding games.

First on ice appeared teams from Finland and Austria. Match looked vital for both teams. Finns were clearly willing once again to compete for the medal tournament. For Austrians would be a shame to leave Minsk the day before after two excellent games.

A very important factor for Austrian success is their goalkeeper Christian Cseh. He conceded just two goals in match against Belarus and made serious contribution to the unexpected result of the first match day. In clash with Finns he also brilliantly acted on his position.

Austrian "guest star" Bengt-Oke Gustafsson was leading the team. His goal and assist in the first period allowed the ice hockey players from Alps to take the lead - 2:0. During the next third of the match they continued to increase the score difference to five goals. Toni Makiaho managed to beat Austrian goalkeeper only in the very end of the second period scoring a penalty-shot.

In the final twenty minutes Finns made several attempts to save the match and were attacking even short-handed. On the last minute goalkeeper left the net, but that brought no dividends to Finns - defeat with score 4-6. Scandinavians first time in the last four years are going home without medals.

Best players of the game: Pasi Saarinen (Finland team) and Christian Cseh (Team Austria).

Belarusian team defeated team Sweden 6-1 and reached the final of the eighth Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prize of the President.

 After Austrian success in the match with team Finland hosts needed only 2 points, in order to play the next day against Russia in the final match. The task was accomplished, but Swedes did their utmost to complicate that mission. Intrigue lived exactly till the half of the game, while held by 2:1 in favour of the hosts. At game equator Oleg Antonenko and Artem Senkevich in two minutes doubled the amount of goals of their team and provided a comfortable gap.

6:1 - not the easiest, but very important victory for team Belarus. Oleg Antonenko scored three goals and made an assist and headed the best scorers race. Artem Senkevich also got four points.

Best players of the game: Artem Senkevich (Team Belarus) and Per Gustav Styf (Team Sweden).

Czechs and Canadians in the Ice Palace were determining who would play in the bronze medal match. Teams had more than enough desire to play on Minsk-Arena. Their meeting resulted in 10 goals, 42 penalty minutes and tough battle during all 60 minutes.

The Czechs were slightly more accurate and a bit faster. They won 6-4. Radek Knotek scored two goals.

Best players of the game: Tomas Kucharcik (Czech Republic team) and Charlie Giffin (Team Canada). 

Game that decided nothing between Russia and Slovenia completed with expected score - 11:2. Favourites put away some leading players keeping then fresh for tomorrow. Slovenes  for the first time were able to score more than one goal per game.

Best players of the game: Albin Felc (Team Slovenia) and Lev Berdichevsky (Team Russia)

Best scorers list.

Organizers of the 8th 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 general partners of the tournament are:
- Belarusian Potash Company
- 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"