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Belarusian CupSeason 2026

Neman Grodno vs Molodechno

24 August 2026 at 15:55
After SO
P1
10
P2
00
P3
01
OT
00
AI

Molodechno overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Neman Grodno 2-1 in overtime in the Belarusian Cup, with Isaac Valitsky scoring the winner at 64:00.

Match Analysis

AI Summary

How It Unfolded

Neman Grodno drew first blood inside six minutes. Evgeny Lisovets finished from close range at 5:58, assisted by Vladislav Kuliev and Maksim Uskov, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead they carried into the first intermission.

Molodechno controlled large stretches of the first period — firing 13 shots to Neman's five — but could not beat the home goaltender until midway through the third. Kirill Tsulygin levelled at 48:19, converting after Vladislav Kaletnik and Ivan Anoshko worked the puck into the slot.

With the score tied 1-1 through 60 minutes, the game moved to a five-minute three-on-three overtime. Neman mustered three shots in the extra session to Molodechno's five, but it was the visitors who found the decisive touch. Valitsky buried the winner at 64:00, sending the Molodechno bench into celebration.

The Turning Point

Tsulygin's equaliser at 48:19 shifted the momentum decisively. Neman had defended their early lead effectively for 42 minutes — blocking lanes and limiting high-danger chances — but once Molodechno broke through, the structure frayed. The visitors carried that momentum into overtime, where they completed the turnaround.

Key Performers

  • Isaac Valitsky (Molodechno) — scored the overtime winner at 64:00. His shot was one of only five Molodechno attempts in OT, but it was the one that counted.
  • Kirill Tsulygin (Molodechno) — netted the third-period equaliser that kept his side in the game. Also registered an assist on the earlier build-up play.
  • Evgeny Lisovets (Neman Grodno) — opened the scoring early and was a consistent threat around the crease. Neman's most dangerous forward on the night.
  • Molodechno goaltender — faced 27 shots, including 13 in the second period when Neman pressed hardest after taking the lead, and held firm to keep his team alive.

By the Numbers — Interpreted

The shot count — Molodechno 43, Neman 27 — tells the real story. Molodechno outshot Neman 13-5 in the first period alone, yet trailed at the break. They kept generating through the middle frame (10-13) and dominated the third (14-6), eventually finding a deserved equaliser. The five-on-five shot suppression by Molodechno was particularly notable: Neman managed only six shots in the final regulation period.

Penalty discipline also favoured the visitors. Molodechno took just two minor penalties (four PIM) to Neman's five (ten PIM), though neither side capitalised on the power play for a goal.

What It Means

The result lifts Molodechno to three points in Group A of the Ruslan Saley Cup — the Belarusian Cup — alongside Neman and Brest in a tightly bunched table. Neman remain top on five games played but now have company, while Molodechno have breathing room after a slow start to the group stage.

Neman Grodno's next fixture is against Shakhtyor Soligorsk, while Molodechno face HK Brest. Exact dates for the next round of group games are yet to be confirmed by the Belarus Ice Hockey Federation.

Verdict

Molodechno earned this result through volume shooting and patience. They trailed for 42 minutes but never altered their approach, eventually overwhelming a Neman side that ran out of steam in the third period. For Neman, the early goal masked structural problems that Molodechno exposed as the game wore on.

Match Events

Key match events between Neman Grodno and Molodechno — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.

Period 1
Y. Lisovets

M. Uskov

5′
Period 3
8′
K. Tsulygin

I. Anoshko

Rivalry since 2019

Neman Grodno vs Molodechno Head to Head Results· 50

Neman Grodno and Molodechno have met 50 times — Neman Grodno won 28, Molodechno won 22, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2019. Neman Grodno leads the head-to-head with 28 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 283 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.66 per match (152 for the home side, 131 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 41 matches (82%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 45 games (90%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 7–2 in 2023.

Drawn
0
·
Total goals
283 · 5.7/match
Both scored
41/50 · 82%
Over 2.5
45/50 · 90%

Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 25 Aug 2026