Grodno Neman wins Ruslan Salei Cup 2014

By Igor Grishin

Grodno Neman wins Ruslan Salei Cup 2014, defeating Yunost Minsk in final match of tournament at Chizhovka-Arena

For the second year in a row, the Ruslan Salei Cup final saw a big gap in score. In 2013, Yunost Minsk beat Zhlobin Metallurg 6:0. This year, after the first two periods, Neman was five pucks ahead. The final third of the match was more of a formality, with the Minsk squad lacking the strength to make a comeback. Ruslan Salei Cup finalists Neman and Yunost played last spring in the Belarus Championship finals, with Grodno proving stronger. At that time, Neman was coached by Sergey Pushkov; now, Latvian specialist Aigars Cipruss has led the squad to its new trophy: the first time in 14 years that Grodno Neman has qualified for the national final.