Hard-earned victory

Yunost Minsk earned 3 points and avoided a loss in the last dramatic seconds when SønderjyskE was beaten 2-1.

The Konstantin Zakharov team introduced two new additions: defenders Andrei Bashko in the 2nd line and Ivan Usenko in the 3rd.  Both are on loan specifically for the Continental Cup from domestic rivals Gomel and Neman.

SønderjyskE comes to Minsk as the underdog but Mario Simioni´s team is not here to lose: it´s a solid squad with experienced players.



It was Yunost, as expected, that started the game best and the goaltender Alfie Michaud was early aware that this will not be an easy night. After 3 minutes Andrei Stepanov tested the Canadian goalie reflex hitting the base of post. Yunost has a lethal power play unit in the BOL league and the Danish team offered them a number of power play situations: Kitarov and Shafarenko had good chances but Michaud was alert. With five minutes to go, finally SønderjyskE reduced the pressure with a shot from long range by Matt MacDonald. But it caused no problem for the Finnish Yunost goalie Mika Oksa.

So much pressure has a logic consequence: Sergei Zadelenov scored a goal after a first rebound from Alfie Michaud on his own shot at 18:50. Not a great first period, but SønderjyskE decided to play a defensive game - probably a right choice – it was not easy for the hosts to penetrate the Danish wall.
 
The second period presented a more aggressive SønderjyskE and finally also Oksa got some work: Mick Jensen had a great chance but his shot was deflected by a defender. Yunost answered with a prolonged move finalized by Oleg Timchenko. His shot passes inches from the post. At 7 minutes Aleksandr Kitarov used a Konstantin Zakharov assist well to beat Michaud, but the Danish defense had some responsibility. Around 33 minutes SønderjyskE had two good chances but Oksa denied Rasmus Damgaard and Nichlas Carlsen a goal, both chances created by Dejan Matejic.

While the period seems to end without emotions, Christoffer Kjaergaard found a strange goal, quickly taking a puck, shot by Steffen Frank, beating Oksa in the upper corner, revitalizing Danish hopes for third period.
In the last drittel there aren´t many actions until the explosive finals: it is again the assistant captain Kjaergaard that tries a dangerous shot for Oksa, answered by a chance for Senkevich. In the last moments, the game takes fire: SønderjyskE pulled the goalie and Yunost had some chances to score in the empty net. With 40 seconds to play Fredrik Storm is alone in front of Oksa with a capital chance to equalize the game but incredibly he shots on the goalie´s pads. On the final horn it´s again Kjaergaard that calls a difficult save in the traffic around Oksa.



The Finnish goalie was deservedly chosen as MVP for Yunost, while his colleague Alfie Michaud earned same honor for the Danes.

In the post match conference coach Mario Simioni has some regrets: "I´m very proud of my team, we were very nervous in first period and conceded 3 consecutive power play, mainly because we are not used to play at this level. But in the first intermission I told the guys we can win the game and start to play in our style and the result was evident. We had a big big chance to tie game in the final, but we wasted it, it´s a pity. I guess we deserved against a team of this caliber. But we are here to try to win this tournament, so tomorrow with Red Bulls we try again to beat them."

Mikhail Zakharov focused on team´s mistakes: "We studied the Danish on tape, we knew they are a good team, but tonight our power play didn´t work well and especially Kitarov and Shafarenko made mistakes, but at the end we won the first game, always the most difficult. Last year in France we lost this one and we all remember how the conclusion was. We don´t want to make the same mistakes".

 

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