Baikal Continues Skid, Falls to Kuzbass 8-3

Khimik Stadium, KEMEROVO, Russia -- Baikal-Energia's losing streak reached three games on Saturday as they fell to divisional rival Kuzbass Kemerovo 8-3 on the road.

This game ended in an ugly fashion, as Baikal skated off the ice in the 85th minute, refusing the finish the contest.

Sergei Rogulev started things off well for Irkutsk, scoring in just the 2nd minute. Vadim Stasenko evened the score, but in the 15th minute Alexander Nasonov gave Irkutsk the one-goal edge once again. But once Vyacheslav Morzovik tied it at 2, Kuzbass started to roll.

After a stellar first 20 minutes, Baikal started to get sloppy. They spent the final 20 minutes of the half down at least one man, and Kuzbass capitalized. Goals from Alexander Kim, Sergei Tarasov and Pavel Teterin gave the home side a 5-2 advantage at the half.

Though Maxim Blem managed another goal for the visitors, Baikal continued their undisciplined play in the second half. Stasenko and Tarasov each added another goal to widen the margin to 7-3.

Then, in the 85th minute Alexander Sapega converted a breakaway chance into a corner. Pavel Ryazantsev made the pass off the corner, and Baikal goalie Alexei Negrun made a spectacular save on Sapega, who managed to corral his own rebound and fire it home.

Immediately Baikal players reacted to the goal, claiming goaltender interference. Alexander Nasonov was then cited for unsportsmanlike conduct, which only infuriated the Irkutsk players and coaches more. The usually excitable Negrun stayed out of the altercations, attempting instead to calm his incensed teammates.

Head coach Alexander Shishkin then called his team over to the bench, and they refused to continue playing in protest of head referee Yury Nizinkin and his crew. Baikal's problems appeared to be with the officiating, as they stayed on the sidelines long enough to shake their opponents' hands once the referee was forced to call the game early.

Baikal-Energia will undoubtedly receive a fine from the league for its conduct, though no details were immediately available.

This will likely be the second game in a row in which Baikal has received a fine from the league. Following their December 13th game against Sibselmash Novosibirsk - another match marred by questionable officiating - team administrator Sergei Kalinkin entered the officials' dressing room and allegedly threatened the referees. On Friday, the league handed down a fine of 20,000 rubles (US$750) and suspended him for 10 games.