Crvena Zvezda dominated IHL

2018-2019 was a season to remember for Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) Belgrade: the team won Serbian League last May, terminating the dominance of arch-rival Partizan, currently dormant due to economic troubles; in October the team finished last in the Group of Continental Cup played in Collalbo, Italy, but fighting to the bitter end in all the matches against much stronger teams, earning an overtime victory against HDD Jesenice and finally winning this week the IHL (International Hockey League), the multi-national league including teams from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Crvena dominated the regular season, with just three defeats in 28 games, and the playoffs, sweeping 7-1 and 8-2 Vojvodina Novi Sad in the quarter-finals - a pair counting also for Serbian League title - 8-1 and 4-2 Slavija Ljubljana in the semifinals and Triglav Kranj, runner-up in regular season, 3-1 and 4-0 in the one-horse final series. Despite having finished the season with the best record of goals scored, the best scorer of Crvena, Russian Vyacheslav Chegrintsev finished just fifth in the scoring leaders standing, dominated by KHL Zagreb forward Mislav Blagus for the second consecutive season.

"We had a dominant approach to the competition and the title is absolutely deserved. Congratulations to the guys. The results in the final series speak a lot. It was my pleasure and privilege to work with this group of guys, from the youngest to the oldest team members. This was a team victory." said Crvena coach Jovica Rus

Estabilished in 2017, sought by Slovenian Federation, the IHL includes 8 teams, 3 from Slovenia and Croatia and two from Serbia. Medvescak Zagreb 2 won the inaugural season.

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