Neman Grodno vs Gomel

Gomel drew first blood through Vsevolod Gaidamak at 08:16, finishing from Dmitri Ivanchikov's feed at even strength. Neman responded emphatically. Maxim Uskov levelled on the power play at 10:31 (Vladislav Kuliev, Vyacheslav Gretsky assists), Arseni Eliseev made it 2–1 with another man-advantage strike at 17:03 (Kirill Melnichenko, German Poddubny), and Yevgeni Avramenko stretched the lead to 3–1 at 18:53 (Igor Kozyachiy, Nikita Bastrykin).

The hosts kept their foot down in the second period. Vladislav Kuliev scored at 23:14 to make it 4–1, with Gretsky again providing the assist. Neman appeared in complete control.

Gomel began their fightback at 29:58 through Yevgeni Sapelnikov (assisted by Nasser Subkhi), and Gaidamak bagged his second of the night at 36:22 (Ivan Shatilo assist) to cut the deficit to 4–3.

The equaliser came at 53:52 in the third period: Andrei Gostev scored at even strength with help from Maxim Lubsky, tying the game at 4–4 and silencing the home crowd.

With the game headed for sudden-death overtime, Neman's Vladislav Kuliev took a minor penalty at 60:39 — just 39 seconds into the extra period. Gomel needed only 83 seconds of power-play time to make it count. Nasser Subkhi fired home the winner at 62:02, with Daniil Lipsky credited with the assist, sending Gomel into the semi-finals and leaving Neman to rue a 4–1 lead surrendered.

The penalty kill — already stretched after giving up two power-play goals in regulation — cracked at the most damaging possible moment.

• Vsevolod Gaidamak (Gomel): Two goals (08:16, 36:22), including the second-period strike that shifted momentum decisively back to the visitors.
• Nasser Subkhi (Gomel): One goal and one assist. His primary assist on Sapelnikov's strike sparked the comeback, and his power-play goal in overtime was the winner. Strong candidate for player of the match.
• Vladislav Kuliev (Neman): One goal and one assist in regulation, but his early-overtime penalty proved costly. A microcosm of Neman's night.
• Vyacheslav Gretsky (Neman): Two assists in the first 25 minutes as Neman built their lead from the blue line.

Gomel outshot Neman 74–50 overall (37–25 in shots on target), reflecting their territorial dominance after the first period. Neman's 3-for-4 power play (75%) was outstanding, yet Gomel's discipline — only 5 penalty minutes to Neman's 8 — and their 2-for-5 conversion with the man advantage told the story. Neman scored three times in the opening 18:53 to build their lead; Gomel needed the remaining 43:09 plus overtime to unpick it.

The 4–1 scoreline after 23:14 flattered Neman's actual second-period control. Gomel won the shots battle 13–8 in the middle frame and 10–7 in the third, and the 4–0 shots advantage in overtime reflected who carried the momentum.

Gomel — who finished fourth in their group during the preliminary stage — advance to the Salei Cup semi-finals. They join Metallurg Zhlobin, who earlier beat Dinamo-Molodechno 4–2 on the same evening to seal their own semi-final spot.

For Neman Grodno, who won their group with five wins from six, defeat ends their cup run at the quarter-final stage. The team will now turn focus to the Betera-Extraliga regular season.

Gomel's next fixture in the cup will be confirmed once the remaining quarter-finals conclude on 29 August (Brest vs Slavutich; Vitebsk vs Shakhter).

A classic cup tie defined by its dramatic swings. Neman looked unstoppable for 23 minutes, leading 4–1, but Gomel's refusal to fold — and their ruthlessness on the power play when it mattered most — flipped the script. Subkhi's winner in overtime was the just reward for the side that controlled more of the contest from the second period onward. Neman will be left wondering how a four-goal advantage slipped away on home ice.

Attendance: 2,150 (Source: belarushockey.com)