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Abu Dhabi: Team Abu Dhabi rallied from 0-2 to edge out Kuwait 4-3 via the tie-breaker in what was a dress rehearsal of the final in the inaugural Arab Ice Hockey Championship organised by the UAE Ice Hockey Association.
The win ensured Abu Dhabi finished at the top in the four-team event with Kuwait taking second spot. In another match Morocco registered their first win defeating Algeria 9-4.
In the semifinals, Abu Dhabi take on Algeria while Kuwait will meet Morocco.
A fairly large crowd at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink was treated to a fast and exciting contest with Kuwait gaining the upper hand in the early part of the match.
Rivals
Kuwait's Czech star Martin Petovsk silenced the home supporters with an early strike and after that both sides played an attacking game.
However the first period stayed that way but Abu Dhabi were in for an early shock in the second when Jacub Petr beat Sergeh to make it 2-0 for Kuwait.
With Martin Itersky in full flow, Kuwait continued to attack while the Abu Dhabi team kept trying to break their rivals. Finally it was skipper Ahmad Mubarak Al Mazroui who scored for Abu Dhabi and the cheer leaders went all out for the home team. With both sides attempting over 20 shots each it was a closely-contested match and just when it looked like the Kuwaitis would make it, Abu Dhabi struck.
Egar scored a last-gasp goal for Abu Dhabi and the match was taken to extra time and then the penalty shootout. Vladimir and Alex Toth scored for Abu Dhabi and Kuwait respectively in the first set of shots. However in the next it was Egar who turned out hero for the home side when he converted and Kuwait failed in their attempt.
Egar was named match of the match for his sterling effort.
The match for third-place will be followed by the final today from 5.30 pm onwards at the Abu Dhabi Ice Rink.
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