Inverleith set for promotion shoot-out in Russia

Inverleith still have the prospect of promotion in their sights after day two of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy in Russia.

Despite a 8-6 loss to Amsterdam this evening, a win or draw against hosts Dinamo Elektrostal in tomorrow’s final match will ensure a top two finish and elevation to the Club Champions Cup next year.

Earlier in the day, a 3-3 draw against HC Minsk led to the Purple Robes carrying their two wins and ten points to the promotion pool stage.

A double from Minsk’s Ivan Lutsevich wasn’t enough to stop Inverleith taking a 3-2 lead into half-time after first period goals from Stephen Dick, Adam MacKenzie and Aedan McCrossan.

However, Lutsevich’s hat-trick goal two minutes into the second half pegged back the capital outfit.

With neither side unable to trouble the scoreboard in the remainder of the contest, a 3-3 draw consequently resulted in Inverleith topping Pool A.

Stephen Dick continued his remarkable goal-scoring form in the tournament with vital hat-trick inside the last five minutes of tonight’s 8-6 loss against Amsterdam.

The rules of European hockey decree that a team recieves a bonus one point for losing by two goals or less, meaning tonight’s result puts Inverleith ahead of the Russian hosts in the promotion pool on goal difference.

Even after a first half double from Dan Coultas and a Derek Salmond field goal, the national indoor champions found themselves trailing 5-3 at the interval following two Tuen Rohof strikes, and goals from Robert Tigges, Max Sweering and Peiter-Bas Bentinck.

Further goals from Nicki Leijs, Klass Vermuelen and Johannes Mooij put the Dutch side 8-3 up, but Dick’s three interventions in the final few minutes, his tenth, eleventh and twelfth goals of the tournament, resulted in an 8-6 final score. Importantly, they secured an important bonus point for his side.

Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy website for full information.

Livestreaming of Day 2 can also be found on the FIH YouTube Channel.

 

 

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