Shakhter Soligorsk took control early and never let go, rolling to a 7-2 regulation win over HK Gomel in the Salei Cup. The game was effectively decided in the opening frame, when Shakhter put up five unanswered goals.
Shakhter carried a 5-0 lead into the second period and extended it to 6-0 after adding another tally through 40 minutes. Gomel pushed back with two goals in the third, but Shakhter answered once to close out the 7-2 final. The five-goal first period set the tone and left Gomel chasing from the start.
The decisive number was the early burst: 5-0 after one period, a lead that allowed Shakhter to dictate the rest of the game in regulation. Gomel never got within striking distance after falling behind that deep.
