News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 2 September (BelTA) – The 2018 Olympic ice hockey qualifying game between Belarus and Denmark at Minsk Arena drew a sold-out crowd on 1 September. Hockey fans were treated to a high-intensity, offensive-filled game in which Belarus celebrated a solid win, 5-2, BelTA has learned.

Denmark scored the first goal with almost 3 minutes into the game. Belarus responded in the 12^th minute through Alexander Pavlovich’s success. Artyom Volkov put his team ahead three minutes before the first break.

Following the goalless second period, Sergei Kostitsyn produced two goals, including an empty-netter with 26 seconds remaining. His first extended Belarus’ lead to 3-1 just before Andrei Stas provided the hosts with a two-goal cushion. Denmark was able to pull one back in an attempt to catch up.

Elsewhere, Slovenia routed Poland 6-1 in their first Olympic qualifier game.

The Group D games on 2 September will feature Slovenia vs Denmark (faceoff at 15.00 local time), and Belarus vs Poland (19.00). The winner in the Group D quartet will get the Olympic berth to Pyeongchang.