Russia U18 fight back for hard-earned point

Two goals down and struggling, things looked bleak for Russia U18 against the under 20 Belarusian side, but our players battled away to emerge with a deserved point in an eventual 2:3 overtime loss.

A pair of quickfire markers in the first period had firmly put Belarus in the box seat.

However, our team came roaring back with determination, forcing OT with Denis Luzanov and Artyom Frolov beating the goalkeeper.

Belarus did still leave the match victorious, though, grabbing the winner in the fourth minute of the extra frame.

Our U18s will return to action tomorrow morning at 09:30 Moscow time against the Student Hockey League.

Match protocol:

Belarus U20 - Russia U18 - 3:2 OT (2:0, 0:1, 0:1, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Karaban (Frolov, Rusakov), 09.15
2:0 Sevko (Laman, Kulakov), 11.20
2:1 Luzanov (Badalov, Groshev), 36.38
2:2 Frolov (Bulgakov), 50.22
3:2 Kulakov, 63.16

Goalkeepers: Khodin - Kazantsev

Shots on target: 46 - 21

Faceoffs: 33 - 26

Penalty minutes: 4 - 10

16.05.2026.