Mogilev vs Novopolotsk

A scoreless first period set the tone for a cautious, defensive opening. Both sides created limited chances through the opening 20 minutes, with the goaltenders untroubled as the teams felt their way into the game.

Mogilev broke the deadlock at 32:28 of the second period. K. Kalinin finished off a setup from Stankevich and Malyuchenko to make it 1-0, a goal that came against the run of a period where Novopolotsk had started to find their rhythm.

Novopolotsk (Khimik) responded in the third period. At 49:49, A. Zemlyankin converted on the power play, with Fazleyev providing the assist, to level the scores at 1-1. The goal came after a Mogilev penalty gave the visitors a man advantage, and Zemlyankin made no mistake from close range.

With the score tied at 1-1 after regulation, the game moved to overtime. Yermolenko struck at 64:15, assisted again by Malyuchenko, to secure the 2-1 victory for Mogilev and send the home crowd home satisfied.

Penalty minutes: 8-8, reflecting a disciplined contest with neither side taking significant time in the box.

Zemlyankin's power-play equaliser at 49:49 erased Mogilev's lead and shifted momentum to the visitors, who had been chasing the game since the second period. But the turning point arrived in overtime: Yermolenko's goal at 64:15, just over four minutes into the extra period, ensured Mogilev would not suffer the disappointment of losing a lead late. Malyuchenko's second assist of the night was instrumental — he was involved in both Mogilev goals, making him the key creative force for the home side.

Alexander Yermolenko (Mogilev) — Scored the overtime winner at 64:15, showing composure in the extra frame to finish and give Mogilev the win. The forward stepped up in the decisive moment.

Malyuchenko (Mogilev) — Two primary assists (Kalinin at 32:28, Yermolenko at 64:15), involved in both Mogilev goals. The playmaker was the home side's most effective offensive player.

K. Kalinin (Mogilev) — Opened the scoring at 32:28 with a well-taken finish, putting Mogilev ahead in the second period.

A. Zemlyankin (Novopolotsk) — Scored the equaliser on the power play at 49:49, giving his side a platform to push for a win in regulation. His goal was the visitors' only successful finish of the afternoon.

Player of the Match: Alexander Yermolenko (Mogilev)

The period scores (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0) reflect a game of fine margins. The scoreless first period, combined with only three goals across 64-plus minutes, suggests cautious early-season hockey where both sides prioritised defensive structure over attacking abandon. The 8-8 penalty split is low for a Belarusian pre-season friendly, indicating a clean contest.

Novopolotsk (Khimik) lead the all-time head-to-head with 27 wins from 50 meetings (Mogilev have 22, with 1 draw), but this result continues a pattern of tight contests — 84% of their meetings have seen both teams score, and 92% have gone over 2.5 goals. The 2-1 total was a rare exception to the fixture's high-scoring history.

This was a pre-season friendly for both Belarusian Extraliga sides as they build towards the 2026/27 regular season. Mogilev will take confidence from the win, particularly the resilience shown after conceding the equaliser in the third period and finding an answer in overtime. Novopolotsk (Khimik) will be encouraged by their power-play execution and their ability to fight back from a goal down, but will look to sharpen their finishing at even strength.

A tight, typical pre-season friendly where defensive structure dominated for long stretches. Mogilev's ability to respond after conceding the equaliser was the difference, and Yermolenko's overtime winner gave them a deserved result on home ice. Both sides will have identified areas to refine before the Extraliga season begins.