Gomel opens the quest for Superfinals

Gomel earns the first points in the Continental Cup semi-finals held in Lyon, France, after a clear victory, built already in the first period, against HK Kurbads Riga. The Latvian team, winner of second round played at home, strengthened the roster with the sign of Eli Sherbatov, doesn’t show the same character on ice, suffering the style of Belarusian team, closing the first period down by three goals, scored by Evgeny Solomonov after 3 minutes with a precise shot in the upper angle, Mikhail Prus at 06:23 after a good combination between the line to open the cage and Andrei Kolosov at 16:11 on power play, with a deflection by Martins Cipulis’ skate. Kurbads has some chances, mainly after the first goal, but Homjakovs and Sherbatov miss the net with goalie Bobariko not always perfect in the saves, often conceding rebounds.

In the central period Latvian team seems more determinate, managing to open the score on power play with a classic scheme of the team, with puck passing wrapping the defense for the final shot of captain Toms Bluks, with no chances for Bobariko. Another power play in the middle of the period gives a chance to Hartmanis but his shot is imprecise. Different story at minute 32 when, shorthanded, Eli Sherbatov working well behind the cage offering a perfect assist for Edgards Homjakovs finishing. In the best momentum Kurbads concedes a lot of consecutive penalties, leaving the team on 5  vs 3 situation for many minutes, with the inevitable goal suffered at 34:33, scored by captain Andrei Kolosov with a powerful shot. A violent charge on Kutsyr costs Toms Hartmanis a 10 minutes penalty at 37:14. The period ends with Gomel again on power play, wasting a chance with Syrei. A power play killing played very confusing by Kurbads gives the opportunity for Gomel’s fifth goal, scored by Nikolai Suslo at 46:26. Despite a couple of good chances for Kurbads, Gomel can control the game until the final siren, scoring the sixth goal at the last second with Yevgeny Khuzeyev, earning the first points in the quest for Finals. Kurbads hasn’t the expecting start, playing very shyly in the first period and conceding too many penalties to a strong opponent

MVP: Eliezer Sherbatov – Alexander Syrei

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