QUECHEE, Vermont -- Baikal-Energia Irkutsk has managed to save their season, but at a very, very steep price.
As a result of Baikal's refusal to complete their December 16th match against Kuzbass Kemerovo, the Russian Bandy Federation demanded that the club fire coach Alexander Shishkin, strip midfielder Nikolai Kadakin of his captaincy, and make a formal apology to the Kemerovo fans.
On Tuesday, Baikal agreed to all of the federation's terms. Had they failed to do so, the club faced the cancellation of the remainder of their season. The club also received a fine of one million rubles (US$38,000).
"We expected the sanctions we received today," Shishkin told a reporter from Sport-Express newspaper following a meeting with club officials. "It's very difficult for me to comment right now, because so much has happened these past few days." He added that the federation initially wanted to level a fine of 10 million rubles.
Shishkin said that chief assistant coach Yevgeny Erakhtin would take over as head coach, and that he would remain on the staff as an assistant. The captaincy would be handed to Dmitry Sokolov.
"The federation's decision is unheard of, but nonetheless, to us, it's the law," Kadakin said. "The fact that I'm no longer captain is not a big deal. We have plenty of guys on this team who can take my place."
One of the biggest losses, however, was the suspension of forward Alexander Nasonov. Nasonov, who received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the Kemerovo game after a questionable call by officials - the incident that prompted Baikal to leave the ice - received a 10 game suspension and a 30,000 ruble fine. The suspension is also non-negotiable - usually, the league allows players and teams to pay higher fine to avoid the suspension, but not in this case.
Nasonov was dumbstruck when he heard the decision. "I didn't even expect a suspension at all. What the federation did today is pure fantasy. I can't even believe I got a 10 game suspension," he said. "If I had touched the referees, why didn't they give me a red card right then? I basically went immediately to the penalty box, and then the rest of the team skated to the bench."
The incident has cast a pall over this season, which began promisingly for Irkutsk. But after five straight wins to open the season, the team has dropped their last three, and their match scheduled for Saturday against Metallurg Bratsk was cancelled pending resolution of the Kemerovo incident.
The team travels to Abakan on Tuesday for a match with Sayany, and Shishkin said the team would be prepared.
"Three cameramen, a few journalists and a lawyer are coming with us. Baikal-Energia will be at full strength in Abakan," he said jokingly. "It's offensive to me that again, nobody said anything about how they actually officiated that game in Kemerovo, and who really stopped that match."
Showing posts with label Alexander Shishkin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander Shishkin. Show all posts
Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
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.
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.
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