The first days of the New Year are traditionally marked in Belarus by a symbolic and expected event - the International Christmas Tournament among hockey amateurs for the prize of the President of Belarus. For the 15th time Minsk hosts the unofficial world championship. Today is the second day of the group stage. The remaining 4 teams will join the fight - Russia, China, the Czech Republic and the Baltics. There are hockey players with NHL experience in the teams.
Christmas tournament is short-termed. Therefore, the fate of getting into the playoffs is decided for some teams on the second day. For example, the Swiss team lost yesterday to Slovakia, 4:10, in Group C.
Today the Swiss played with Russia. The match is over. Our eastern neighbors won - 9:0. This means that Switzerland will definitely not play in the semifinal.
In the Group B China lost to the bronze medalist of last year's tournament - the team of the United Arab Emirates - 3:10.
Germany and the Czech Republic will start the fight at 18:30 on the small ice of Chizhovka Arena. At 19:00 the national team of Belarus - the current winner of the competition - will meet with the Baltic states squad at the large area of the sports complex.
In parallel to the Christmas tournament, the final stage of the Golden Puck is held in Division A in the older age group. Minsk Partizan and Kobrin Atlant are finishing their match now.
Griffins and Shakhtar Soligorsk will play today. Northern Capital from Vitebsk will compete with Mogilev Falcon.












