English

Lukashenka’s team beaten by Russian squad in final of annual Christmas tournament

A Belarus squad with Alyaksandr Lukashenka on the roster suffered a defeat at the hands of a Russia team in the final of the 7th Christmas International Ice Hockey Tournament under the auspices of the president of Belarus, BelaPAN said.

Held since 2005, the tournament is described by the government-controlled media “an unofficial world championship among amateur teams.”

However, this time the Belarusian team featured several professionals, including Nyoman Hrodna goaltender Syarhey Shabanaw, 36, and HC Brest forward Stsyapan Panamarow, 34.

Belarus routed Austria, Germany and Finland en-route to the final, while Russia beat Ukraine, Switzerland and Slovakia.

The Russian team, which featured former NHL stars Valery Kamenski and Andrey Kavalenka, beat Belarus 3-2 in the final.

The loss was only the second defeat in the tournament’s finals for Mr. Lukashenka’s team. A Russian squad beat the team in the 2007 final.

Mr. Lukashenka was fourth in the points standings, with zero goals and 11 assists.